Sample Sentences for
trace
grouped by contextual meaning
(editor-reviewed)

trace as in:  found a trace of

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There was not a trace of the defendant's DNA at the crime scene.
trace = a tiny quantity or indication
Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
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    The study found traces of cocaine on most $20 bills used in large cities of the United States and Canada.
    traces = tiny quantities
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    There isn't a trace of evidence to support her story.
    trace = a tiny quantity or indication
  • •
    The words shone momentarily on the page and they, too, sank without trace.  (source)
    trace = any indication left
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Show 10 more with 3 word variations
  • •
    "Yes, it is," the Warden agreed, with just a trace of disappointment in her voice.  (source)
    trace = small amount
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    All traces of the bomb they'd planted were probably melting into slag right now.  (source)
    traces = small bits
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    And there is only a microtrace of pulp in container juice.†  (source)
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    It melted, leaving no trace of a murder weapon.  (source)
    trace = indication or sign
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    All traces of cheer had left the Happy Medium's face.  (source)
    traces = indications or signs
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    There was no trace of her at all, or of Tuck or Miles or Jesse.  (source)
    trace = sign or indication
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    It was as though they wanted to remove all traces of womankind from public life.  (source)
    traces = indications or signs
  • •
    No trace of the young man was ever found.  (source)
    trace = small quantity or indication
  • •
    Anne, methinks I see the traces of tears.  (source)
    traces = indications or small quantities
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    The lab also detected trace quantities of the gamma-amino metbionine hydrolase.  (source)
    trace = slight
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trace as in:  trace the origin or development

Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
  • •
    They traced the illnesses back to a single restaurant.
    traced = followed (to its source through investigation)
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    The book traces the development of the smartphones.
    traces = reports research findings
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    She traced the student's progress.
    traced = tracked the development of
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Show 10 more with 10 word variations
  • •
    She used a pre-paid phone that is untraceable.
    untraceable = not able to track or discover who owned it
    standard prefix: The prefix "un-" in untraceable means not and reverses the meaning of traceable. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
  • •
    None of the boys could have found good reason for this; what intelligence had been shown was traceable to Piggy while the most obvious leader was Jack.  (source)
    traceable = able to be followed (to its source)
    standard suffix: The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable.
  • •
    "Well," Wu said, "if Keycheeks is active, you can trace what he did."  (source)
    trace = find through investigation
  • •
    By and by the rangers traced the car's serial number to the Hertz Corporation, the vehicle's original owner; Hertz said they had sold it as a used rental car many years earlier and had no interest in reclaiming it.  (source)
    traced = researched (to find where it came from)
  • •
    The red rug with its golden tracings was back on the dance floor, protecting the polished hardwood surface.†  (source)
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    So when the government traces me.  (source)
    traces = investigates leads to find
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    ...he began to think that the source and secret of this ghostly light might be in the adjoining room, from whence, on further tracing it, it seemed to shine.  (source)
    tracing = investigation
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    The mothers stayed back in the kitchen washing and drying, putting things away, recrossing their traceless footsteps like the lifetime journeys of bees, measuring out the dry cocoa for breakfast.†  (source)
    standard suffix: The suffix "-less" in traceless means without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearless, homeless, and endless.
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    Emmett was swinging an aluminum bat; it whistled almost untraceably through the air.†  (source)
    standard prefix: The prefix "un-" in untraceably means not and reverses the meaning of traceably. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
  • •
    It fit the requirements of authenticity, traceability.†  (source)
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trace as in:  trace a picture or outline

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She didn't have a camera or a copier, so she used a pencil to trace an outline of the picture on thin paper.
trace = draw (by following the image)
Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
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    She used a stick to trace a mysterious symbol on the sand.
    trace = draw
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    She used a projector and a pencil to trace an image of an eagle on the paper and then filled in the painting with water colors.
    trace = draw (by following the image)
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    All right, everybody trace the last ten or so days onto a piece of this stuff.  (source)
    trace = draw
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Show 10 more with 5 word variations
  • •
    There was a slight vibration, and then yellow contour lines traced across the computer screen.  (source)
    traced = were drawn
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    He pulled Harry's wand from his pocket and began to trace it through the air, writing three shimmering words: TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE Then he waved the wand once, and the letters of his name rearranged themselves: I AM LORD VOLDEMORT  (source)
    trace = draw specific patterns
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    Her fingers were tracing the book's outline and as the shape became familiar her face looked surprised and then stunned.  (source)
    tracing = following along (drawing)
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    "I think we'll start with your mouth." I clamp my teeth together as she teasingly traces the outline of my lips with the tip of the blade.  (source)
    traces = draws
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    "Listen, guapa," said Pilar and ran her finger now absently but tracingly over the contours of her cheeks.†  (source)
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    In the clean white sand on the floor Hannah traced a careful B. Looking at Prudence, Kit held her breath.  (source)
    traced = drew
  • •
    My fingers trace the circle around the little gold mockingjay and I think of the woods, and of my father, and of my mother and Prim waking up, having to get on with things.  (source)
    trace = follow along the outline of
  • •
    Then he focused on Jesus bending down, his finger tracing words in the sand at the Pharisees' feet, sending the men scattering in fear.  (source)
    tracing = drawing
  • •
    After they discussed the list, Mabel traced Kya's feet on a piece of brown paper bag, then said, "Well, come back tomorrer and there'll be a stack here for ya."  (source)
    traced = drew an outline of
  • •
    Boxer could not get beyond the letter D. He would trace out A, B, C, D, in the dust with his great hoof, and then would stand staring at the letters with his ears back, sometimes shaking his forelock, trying with all his might to remember what came next and never succeeding.  (source)
    trace = draw
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trace as in:  traced a path

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They followed a path that traces along the edges of a dark forest.
traces = follows or runs
Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
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    She used her finger to trace a route on the map.
    trace = follow
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    A single tear traced its way down her cheek.
    traced = followed a specific path
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    His finger seems to instinctively trace the tattoo on his forearm — an A with a crown over it.  (source)
    trace = follow
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Show 10 more with 4 word variations
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    I traced the patterns carved into the perfect block of stone beneath me, not meeting his eyes.  (source)
    traced = followed
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    He was saying, "Hm" and tracing the lines of my palm with his finger.  (source)
    tracing = following the path of
  • •
    The Twin Moons, just two pale orbs as they trace their way across the steely sky.  (source)
    trace = follow a path
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    Momma traces the rim of her mug.  (source)
    traces = follows
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    Some tendrils twisted into tight spirals and traced the warmer ravines, behaving like mist tracking the dank fens of the marsh.  (source)
    traced = following
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    The slender tops fairly flapped and swished in the passionate torrent, bending and swirling backward and forward, round and round, tracing indescribable combinations of vertical and horizontal curves, while I clung with muscles firm braced, like a bobolink on a reed.  (source)
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    After he left, I didn't move except to trace the bars of light on the bed with my finger.  (source)
    trace = follow
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    In spirit she walks the city, traces its labyrinths, its dingy mazes: each assignation, each rendezvous, each door and stair and bed.  (source)
    traces = follows
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    Even after the lights had gone up, while they were shuffling slowly along with the crowd towards the lifts, its ghost still fluttered against her lips, still traced fine shuddering roads of anxiety and pleasure across her skin.  (source)
    traced = followed
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    She puzzled over the patchwork of scraps for a long time, tracing the lines with her finger, murmuring the parts of words.  (source)
    tracing = following
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meaning too rare to warrant focus

Show 3 with this contextual meaning
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    He preferred to read comics and mystery books on the morning ride to Trace Middle.  (source)
    Trace = a name
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    They did not take kindly to trace and trail.  (source)
    trace = straps that harness dogs to sled
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    Garrett was the king of phony farts at Trace Middle.  (source)
    Trace = a name
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Show 10 more with 2 word variations
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    Ironically, Garrett's mother was a guidance counselor at Trace Middle.  (source)
    Trace = a name
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    It no longer was as one dog leaping in the traces.  (source)
    traces = straps that harness dogs to sled
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    "I don't know anyone who doesn't go to Trace," Garrett said.  (source)
    Trace = a name
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    By the time Cassiar Bar was reached, he was so weak that he was falling repeatedly in the traces.  (source)
    traces = straps that harness dogs to sled
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    "We don't appreciate sarcasm here at Trace Middle," said Miss Hennepin.  (source)
    Trace = a name
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    Francois unfastened Sol-leks's traces and put him back in his old place.  (source)
    traces = straps that harness dogs to sled
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    But Dana was nowhere to be seen at Trace Middle.  (source)
    Trace = a name
  • •
    Day after day, for days unending, Buck toiled in the traces.  (source)
    traces = straps that harness dogs to sled
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    Apparently Dana had three older brothers, none of whom was remembered fondly at Trace Middle.  (source)
    Trace = a name
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    It recovered its old-time solidarity, and once more the dogs leaped as one dog in the traces.  (source)
    traces = straps that harness dogs to sled
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