trigger
To cause a device, process, or series of events to happen suddenly or start functioning. It is often used to describe the spark that initiates a significant reaction, whether mechanical, emotional, or situational.
Examples
3 of 5The loud noise triggered the car alarm in the middle of the night.
The loud noise activated the car's security system during the night.
The sudden drop in stock prices triggered a series of emergency meetings among investors.
The rapid decrease in market value caused investors to hold urgent meetings.
Seeing that old photo really triggered some happy memories for me.
Looking at that old picture brought back many joyful thoughts from the past.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the trigger on a spray bottle or a camera; one small pull causes an immediate and specific action.
Quick Quiz
The smoke detector was _______ by the burnt toast in the kitchen.
Correct!
The correct answer is: triggered
Examples
The loud noise triggered the car alarm in the middle of the night.
everydayThe loud noise activated the car's security system during the night.
The sudden drop in stock prices triggered a series of emergency meetings among investors.
formalThe rapid decrease in market value caused investors to hold urgent meetings.
Seeing that old photo really triggered some happy memories for me.
informalLooking at that old picture brought back many joyful thoughts from the past.
Increased carbon emissions may trigger irreversible changes in the global climate system.
academicHigher levels of carbon could cause permanent shifts in the world's weather patterns.
The new marketing campaign triggered a significant increase in website traffic.
businessThe latest advertisement drive resulted in a major rise in visitors to the site.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
trigger-happy
reacting too quickly with a weapon or a decision
pull the trigger
to make a final decision or commit to an action
trigger warning
a statement warning that content may be distressing
Often Confused With
'Cause' is a general term for making something happen, while 'trigger' implies a sudden start or a specific initiating spark.
'Target' refers to an objective or goal, whereas 'trigger' refers to the action of starting a process.
Usage Notes
Use 'trigger' when you want to emphasize that one small event or action caused a much larger or more complex series of events to follow.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'trigger' for gradual processes, but it is best reserved for sudden or mechanical starts.
Memory Tip
Think of the trigger on a spray bottle or a camera; one small pull causes an immediate and specific action.
Word Origin
Derived from the Middle Dutch word 'treker', which comes from 'trekken', meaning 'to pull'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In modern digital culture, 'trigger' is frequently used in the context of mental health and social media to describe content that might cause emotional distress.
Quick Quiz
The smoke detector was _______ by the burnt toast in the kitchen.
Correct!
The correct answer is: triggered
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
A stimulus is something that causes a reaction or a change i...
activationActivation refers to the process of making something start w...
mechanismA mechanism is a group of moving parts in a machine that wor...
reactionA reaction is a response to an action or a situation. In sci...
catalystA catalyst is something that makes a change happen faster or...
Related Words
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