trumpet
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /trˈʌmpɪt/
US
- /ˈtrəmpət/
Description
- Brass instrument
- Announce loudly
- Boast about something
- Elephant's cry
A trumpet is not just a shiny brass instrument you hear in an orchestra. It can also be a verb that means to announce something loudly and proudly, often with excitement. Think of a town crier trumpeting the news, or someone trumpeting their accomplishments by bragging about them. The sound of the instrument cuts through noise and grabs attention, just like a person who "trumpets" an important message. The idea is to make a big, noticeable announcement. You might hear it in phrases like "trumpet one's success" or "trumpet the arrival of the king."
The word "trumpet" has a versatile life. Most people first picture the musical instrument: a brass instrument with a bright, powerful sound used in jazz, classical music, and fanfares. It often brings to mind celebrations, formal announcements, and even military signals.
But "trumpet" also works as a verb, meaning to proclaim something loudly and proudly. It is more than simply announcing something; it often suggests strong enthusiasm or even boasting. For example, "The company trumpeted its record profits" means that it announced them publicly with great fanfare. In the same way, a person might "trumpet" their achievements to anyone who will listen. Historically, this verb grew out of the sound of the instrument, which was once used to deliver important royal or military messages. Just as the instrument's sound carries far and wide, someone who trumpets an idea wants it to be widely known.
Beyond human activity, the word also belongs to the animal kingdom, where it can describe the loud, piercing cry of an elephant. Whether you are listening to the soaring notes of a jazz solo, hearing an elephant in the wild, or watching a company trumpet its latest innovation, the word is always connected to a bold and resounding sound or message.
Examples
- 1
Music Lessons
Her daughter started learning the trumpet last year.
- 2
Band Arrangement
Two trumpets came in after the drums, and the whole song suddenly felt brighter.
- 3
Marketing Praise
The company trumpeted the new phone as a major breakthrough.
Pattern
trumpet X as Y
announce or praise X very publicly as Y
- 4
Self-Promotion
He never misses a chance to trumpet his achievements online.
- 5
Modesty Idiom
She's good at her job, but she doesn't like to blow her own trumpet.
Phrase
blow your own trumpet
talk proudly about your own success
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- trumpetnounverb
Forms
- trumpetspluralnounverb
- trumpeting-ing formverbnoun
- trumpetedpast tenseverbnoun