Track — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈtrak/

Meaning & Definition of Track

Track (noun)

  1. a footprint whether recent or fossil
  2. detectable evidence (such as the wake of a ship, a line of footprints, or a wheel rut) that something has passed
  3. a path made by or as if by repeated footfalls, trail

Track (verb)

  1. to follow the tracks or traces of, trail
  2. to search for by following evidence until found
  3. to follow by vestiges, trace

Track (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a mark or series of marks left on a surface by something that has passed along it

    "a muddy track across the kitchen floor"

    similar: imprint, trace, trail
    related: footmark, footprint, footstep, hoofprint, path, print, pug, rut, step, tread, artifact, evidence, leavings, relic, remain(s), remainder, reminder, remnant, residual, residue, sign, spoor, telltale, token, vestige, clue, cue, hint, indication, inkling, intimation, lead, suggestion, scent, shadow, whiff

  2. a rough course or way formed by or as if by repeated footsteps

    "there was still a faint track through the underbrush that indicated where the path used to be"

    similar: footpath, path, pathway, trace, trail
    related: bridle path, towpath, alley, alleyway, bypath, byroad, bystreet, byway, passageway, walkway, cutoff, shortcut, lane, pass, passage, road, roadway, route, row, run, runway, street, thoroughfare

  3. the direction along which something or someone moves

    "I followed the track of the thief's eyes as he watched the woman put the money into her purse and walk away"

    similar: course, line, path, pathway, route, routeway (chiefly British), steps, way
    related: circle, circuit, loop, orbit, arc, flight path, trajectory, ascent, descent

Track (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to go after or on the track of

    "predators stealthily tracking their prey"

    similar: bird-dog, chase, course, dog, follow, hound, pursue, run, shadow, tag, tail, trace, trail, run after
    related: accompany, chaperone, escort, hunt, search (for), seek, eye, observe, watch
    opposite: guide, lead, pilot
    near: head

  2. to make one's way through, across, or over

    "once upon a time, millions of buffalo tracked the wide open plains"

    similar: course, cover, cross, cut (across), follow, go, navigate, pass (over), perambulate, peregrinate, proceed (along), transit, travel, traverse
    related: hike, traipse, tramp, tread, walk, ride, run, crisscross

Related Entry: Track (down) (verb)

Track (down) is a different word from Track. The synonyms below are for track (down), not for track.

  1. to come upon after searching, study, or effort

    "I'll try to track down his last known address"

    similar: ascertain, descry, detect, determine, dig out, dig up, discover, dredge (up), ferret (out), find, find out, get, hit (on or upon), hunt (down or up), learn, locate, nose out, root (out), rout (out), rummage, run down, scare up, scout (up), turn up
    related: espy, sight, spot, look for, search (for or out), seek
    opposite: miss, overlook, pass over
    near: lose, mislay, misplace, misset

Related Entry: Fast-track (verb)

Fast-track is a different word from Track. The synonyms below are for fast-track, not for track.

  1. to cause to move or proceed fast or faster

    "we're going to fast-track this project so that the product is in the stores for the holiday shopping season"

    similar: accelerate, bundle, hasten, hurry, quicken, rush, speed (up), whisk
    related: drive, goad, prod, propel, push, race, spur, stir, urge, aid, dispatch, ease, encourage, expedite, facilitate
    opposite: brake, decelerate, retard, slow (down)
    near: delay, encumber, fetter, hamper, hinder, hobble, hold back, hold up, impede, interfere (with), manacle, rein (in), restrain, shackle, tie up, trammel, arrest, check, stall, stay, still, stop

Related Entry: Inside track (noun)

Inside track is a different word from Track. The synonyms below are for inside track, not for track.

  1. the more favorable condition or position in a competition

    "the applicant with actual experience in pharmaceutical sales will definitely have the inside track for the job"

    similar: advantage, better, bulge, catbird seat, drop, edge, high ground, jump, pull, stead, upper hand, vantage, whip hand, coign of vantage
    related: allowance, head start, lead, leg up, margin, odds, start, ascendancy, command, dominance, mastery, predominance, superiority, supremacy, transcendence, transcendency, precedence, preference, prerogative, privilege, seniority, break, foothold, opportunity, benefit, blessing, boon, felicity, godsend, manna, windfall
    opposite: disadvantage, drawback, handicap, liability, minus, penalty, strike
    near: detriment, stranglehold, disparity, imbalance, inequality, unevenness, disability, failing, impairment, shortcoming, bar, catch, check, clog, crimp, embarrassment, hindrance, hitch, hurdle, impediment, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, rub, shackle, stop, trammel, lurch, setback

Related Entry: Hen track (noun)

Hen track is a different word from Track. The synonyms below are for hen track, not for track.

  1. as in scratch, hen scratch

    similar: cacography, hen scratch, scratch, scrawl, scribble, hand, handwriting, penmanship, script, backhand, copperplate, cursive, print, running hand, autograph, John Hancock, John Henry, signature

Related Entry: Beaten (adjective)

Beaten is a different word from Track. The synonyms below are for beaten, not for track.

  1. depleted in strength, energy, or freshness

    "felt beaten after three months of 90-hour workweeks"

    similar: all in, aweary (archaic), beat, bleary, burned-out, bushed, dead, done, drained, exhausted, fatigued, jaded, knackered (British), limp, logy, played out, pooped (slang), prostrate, spent, tapped out, tired, tuckered (out), washed-out, wearied, weary, wiped out, worn, worn-out, worn to a frazzle
    related: overfatigued, overtaxed, overworked, broken-down, run-down, debilitated, enervate, enervated, enfeebled, sapped, weakened, drowsy, heavy, sleepy, lethargic, sluggish
    opposite: unwearied
    near: fresh, refreshed, rejuvenated, relaxed, rested, revitalized, active, energetic, invigorated, peppy, strengthened, strong, tireless, vitalized, weariless

Related Entry: Trackless (adjective)

Trackless is a different word from Track. The synonyms below are for trackless, not for track.

  1. not having been traveled over or through

    "the trackless desert is no place for unequipped, unprepared travelers"

    similar: pathless, untraveled, untraversed, untrodden
    related: pristine, virgin, undiscovered, unexplored
    opposite: traveled, trod
    near: bustling, busy, crowded, swarming, teeming, thronging

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Track

The most common words with a similar meaning to Track:

Chiefly British: routeway
imprint, trace, trail, footpath, path, pathway, course, line, route, steps, way, bird-dog, chase, dog, follow, hound, pursue, run, shadow, tag, tail, cover, cross, cut (across), go, navigate, pass (over), perambulate, peregrinate, proceed (along), transit, travel, traverse, run after

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Track

Words with the opposite meaning of Track:

guide, lead, pilot

Related Words for Track

footmark, footprint, footstep, hoofprint, print, pug, rut, step, tread, artifact, evidence, leavings, relic, remain(s), remainder, reminder, remnant, residual, residue, sign, spoor, telltale, token, vestige, clue, cue, hint, indication, inkling, intimation

Near Antonyms of Track

head

Word Forms of Track

Inflections: tracked, tracking, tracks

Derived words: trackless (adjective), tracker (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Track

Middle English trak, from Middle French trac

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Track

Words & Phrases Containing Track

track-and-field, track lighting, track meet, track record, track lights, fast-track, fast track

Frequently Asked Questions about Track

What does "Track" mean?

"Track" means a footprint whether recent or fossil. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a footprint whether recent or fossil. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Track"?

Other words for "Track" include imprint, trace, trail, footpath, path, pathway, course and line. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Track" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Track"?

There are 114 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Track". Common alternatives include imprint, trace, trail, footpath, path, pathway, course, line, route and routeway.

What is the opposite of "Track"?

Antonyms of "Track" include guide, lead and pilot. Near antonyms include head.

How do you use "Track" in a sentence?

Examples of "Track" in a sentence: "a muddy track across the kitchen floor"; "there was still a faint track through the underbrush that indicated where the path used to be"; "I followed the track of the thief's eyes as he watched the woman put the money into her purse and walk away".

Is "Track" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Track" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Track" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Track" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Track"?

"Track" is pronounced /ˈtrak/.