trunks
trunks Lexical Profile
trunks Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The plural form of trunk, referring to multiple main woody stems of trees, large hinged storage chests, rear luggage compartments of cars, or the elongated proboscises of elephants.
"The ancient oak trunks were covered in thick green moss along the shaded forest trail."
Men's or boys' shorts worn for swimming, boxing, or other athletic activities.
"He packed a towel, sunscreen, and a pair of swimming trunks for the afternoon at the beach."
Close-fitting men's underpants with short legs, similar to brief-cut boxer shorts.
"The clothing brand released a new line of breathable cotton trunks for everyday wear."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to swimwear or athletic shorts, 'trunks' is a pluralia tantum noun that takes plural verb agreement and is often paired with 'a pair of' for a single garment.
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the singular 'trunk' (from Old French 'tronc' and Latin 'truncus', meaning the main stem of a tree or the human torso), the plural form came to denote short garments covering the lower torso and upper thighs in the 16th century.