trespass
- 01 C1 Advanced
v.to use too much of someone's time or help in an unfair way.
v.to intrude upon or exploit someone's time, hospitality, or patience.
Simple“I don't want to trespass on your hospitality by staying another night.”
In context“The biographer was careful not to trespass on the family's privacy during the sensitive interview process.”
UsageCommonly used with 'on' or 'upon' followed by an abstract noun like 'time', 'privacy', or 'hospitality'.
- 02 C2 Proficiency
v.to do something morally wrong or to break a religious law.
v.to commit an offence or sin against a moral or religious code.
Simple“The old prayer asks for forgiveness for those who trespass against us.”
In context“In the ancient text, the prophet warns the people not to trespass against the laws of their ancestors.”
Teacher's tipModern learners will mostly encounter this sense in the Lord's Prayer or historical literature.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the crime of going onto someone's land without permission.
n.the act of entering someone's property without permission; a common-law tort or crime.
Simple“The sign on the fence warned that trespass would lead to a fine.”
In context“The security firm was hired to prevent trespass and vandalism at the abandoned industrial site.”
Synonyms
“Moorehouse McCarthy faced four charges, including a count of trespass and two counts of possession of items with intent for use in theft or burglary.”
Borrowed into Middle English trespas, from Old French trespas (“passage; offense against the law”), from trespasser.
From Middle English trespassen, borrowed from Old French trespasser (“to go across or over, transgress”), from tres- (“across, over”) + passer (“to pass”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.