Word
trek
US/ˈtɹɛk/
UK/tɹˈɛk/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a long and difficult journey, usually made on foot through mountains or forests. You use this word when the trip feels like a real challenge.
n. a long, arduous journey, typically involving travel on foot through difficult terrain. Often carries a connotation of physical exertion or endurance.
Examples
“We went on a long trek through the mountains last summer.”
“The group prepared for a three-day trek across the valley, carrying all their own supplies and water.”
“While the initial stages of the trek were manageable, the steep incline and thinning air at higher altitudes tested the stamina of even the most experienced hikers.”
Examples
simple
“We went on a long trek through the mountains last summer.”
contextual
“The group prepared for a three-day trek across the valley, carrying all their own supplies and water.”
complex
“While the initial stages of the trek were manageable, the steep incline and thinning air at higher altitudes tested the stamina of even the most experienced hikers.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'go on' or 'make'.
Real-World Examples
“Yap had been planning the trek for more than a year and had recently bought a GPS watch to allow for offline maps to guide him on the hike.” “He had become separated from his wife in the long trek to safety and was now worried that she had not made it.” Etymology
From Afrikaans trek, from Dutch trekken, from Middle Dutch trekken (weak verb) and trēken (“to trek, place, bring, move”, strong verb), from Old Dutch trekkan, trekan, from Proto-West Germanic trekan, from Proto-Germanic trekaną, trakjaną (“to drag, haul, scrape, pull”), from Proto-Indo-European dreg- (“to drag, scrape”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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