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• trig
  trig

  noun

  trigonometry.
• trig.
  trig.

  abbreviation

  trigonometric.

trig

¹ American  

[trig] / trɪg /

noun

Informal.

1. trigonometry.

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trig ² American  

[trig] / trɪg /

adjective

1. neat, trim, smart, or spruce.

   Synonyms:

   orderly, tidy

2. in good physical condition; sound; well.

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verb (used with object)

trigged, trigging

1. to make trim, smart, etc. (often followed by up orout ).

trig ³ American  

[trig] / trɪg /

verb (used with object)

Dialect.

trigged, trigging

1. to support or prop, as with a wedge.

2. to act as a check on (the moving of wheels, vehicles, etc.).

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noun

1. a wedge or block used to prevent a wheel, cask, or the like, from rolling.

trig. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. trigonometric.

2. trigonometrical.

3. trigonometry.

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trig ¹ British  

/ trɪɡ /

noun

1. a wedge or prop

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verb

1. to block or stop

2. to prop or support

trig ² British  

/ trɪɡ /

adjective

1. neat or spruce

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verb

1. to make or become trim or spruce

trig. ³ British  

abbreviation

1. trigonometrical

2. trigonometry

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Other Word Forms

• trigness
  noun
• trigly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of trig¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; by shortening

Origin of trig²

First recorded in 1150–1200 for earlier sense; 1505–15 trig ² for def. 1; Middle English trig(g) “true, trusty,” from Old Norse tryggr “loyal, safe”; cognate with Gothic triggws “loyal, true, faithful”; see true

Origin of trig³

First recorded in 1585–95; from Old Norse tryggja “to make fast, secure”; see also trig ² ( def. ), true

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trig trig. trigged trigging

Richardson experienced another hiker trying to physically stop him from reaching the trig point.

From BBC ● May 28, 2026

The kids rehearsed months, long into the night, then gave performances to sold-out crowds and scrambled to finish trig and AP history homework too.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 17, 2023

Imagine if your old trig worksheets stepped in to help you out when you were stumped on a question.

From The Verge ● Mar. 16, 2022

When evaluating the composition of a trigonometric function with an inverse trigonometric function, you may use trig identities to assist in determining the ratio of sides.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 13, 2015

My trig equations were far beneath his abilities, but if he was bored he didn’t show it; he just explained the principles patiently, over and over.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

“I know the geometry of an eclipse. I can do the trig. But I don’t think anybody can be prepared for what this looks like.”

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 20, 2017

I realize that I took trig because Mom said, “Well, of course you’re taking trig. You’re going to college, right?”

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King

My instructor in trig. must have been all wet.

From Astounding Stories, July, 1931 by Various

We had to call the trig. professor out of town by a telegram that morning and then have the suspended men demand an immediate examination.

From At Good Old Siwash by Fitch, George

That trigged the state’s request to reduce the award under a state law that allows claimants against the state to get a maximum of $475,000 per incident.

From Seattle Times ● May 15, 2024

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The family of a Northern California woman whose 2016 disappearance trigged an intensive search and international headlines on Friday criticized the way she was arrested on charges she faked her own kidnapping.

From Washington Times ● Mar. 4, 2022

But for aid workers and advocates I spoke to, the open embrace of fleeing Ukrainians has trigged complicated reactions—and the real-life fallout is beginning to unfold.

From Slate ● Mar. 3, 2022

After a 2011 earthquake and tsunami trigged a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima power plant, she joined a hunger strike and called for an end to nuclear power.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 29, 2021

"I've paid for the English language, and I want it straight and in short words, and not trigged by a toothpick."

From When Egypt Went Broke by Day, Holman

In Washington DC, a bomb threat was made to the Democratic National Committee headquarters, trigging a police search of the building where a pipe bomb was discovered on 6 January 2021.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2025

The collapse in cryptocurrency prices last year forced a procession of major firms into bankruptcy, trigging a government crackdown and erasing the savings of millions of inexperienced investors.

From New York Times ● Sep. 5, 2023

Some state officials are concerned that other uses also could be ruled out, trigging a provision requiring them to repay the federal government.

From Seattle Times ● May 9, 2021

With the capacity crowd still on its feet, Eager rifled a long-range shot past Leighton, trigging another explosion of cheers that almost blew off the roof.

From Reuters ● Jun. 1, 2010

I see you've been trigging up your room.

From The Sins of the Children A Novel by Hamilton, Cosmo