Word
trodden
Phoneticstrod·den, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɹɑdən/
UK/tɹˈɒdən/
Definition
v. to have stepped or walked on something — it is the past form of 'tread'. You see it in phrases about paths or grass that many feet have pressed down.
v. past participle of 'tread'; refers to having stepped or walked on a surface so as to press it down. Often appears in the phrase 'well-trodden' to describe a frequently used path or routine.
Examples
“Visitors have trodden a clear path through the grass.”
“The hikers followed the well-trodden trail up the hill to avoid getting lost in the forest.”
“Generations of pilgrims have trodden the stone steps to the shrine, wearing shallow dips where countless feet have pressed.”
Examples
simple
“Visitors have trodden a clear path through the grass.”
contextual
“The hikers followed the well-trodden trail up the hill to avoid getting lost in the forest.”
complex
“Generations of pilgrims have trodden the stone steps to the shrine, wearing shallow dips where countless feet have pressed.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “trodden” in context.
Verb
01. trodden down
“The wheat had been trodden down by the heavy storm.”
verb + prep
02. trodden grass
“We saw trodden grass where deer had passed in the night.”
verb + noun
03. trodden ground
“They camped on hard trodden ground near the car park.”
verb + noun
04. trodden on
“The flower beds had been trodden on by careless visitors.”
verb + prep
Adjective
05. heavily trodden
“The grass by the entrance was heavily trodden after the festival.”
adv + verb
06. much trodden
“This is a much trodden route for experienced summer hikers.”
adv + verb
Noun
07. trodden earth
“Our boots sank into the soft trodden earth of the campsite.”
verb + noun
08. a well-trodden path
“For career security, she chose a well-trodden path into teaching.”
09. be trodden into mud
“After the rain, the festival field was trodden into mud.”
10. follow a well-trodden route
“Many startups fail because they follow a well-trodden route.”
11. get trodden underfoot
“In the crowded market, fragile goods often get trodden underfoot.”
12. have trodden this path before
“Investors who have trodden this path before warned us of risks.”
Usage
Forms perfect tenses with 'have' ('have trodden'); often used as an adjective in 'well-trodden' before a noun.
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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