B2 verb Neutral

trigger

/ˈtrɪɡ.ər/

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 5
1

The loud noise triggered the car alarm in the middle of the night.

The loud noise activated the car's security system during the night.

2

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.

3

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

Noun
trigger
Verb
trigger
Adjective
triggered
Related
triggering
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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

1

The loud noise triggered the car alarm in the middle of the night.

everyday

The loud noise activated the car's security system during the night.

2

The sudden drop in stock prices triggered a series of emergency meetings among investors.

formal

The rapid decrease in market value caused investors to hold urgent meetings.

3

Seeing that old photo really triggered some happy memories for me.

informal

Looking at that old picture brought back many joyful thoughts from the past.

4

Increased carbon emissions may trigger irreversible changes in the global climate system.

academic

Higher levels of carbon could cause permanent shifts in the world's weather patterns.

5

The new marketing campaign triggered a significant increase in website traffic.

business

The latest advertisement drive resulted in a major rise in visitors to the site.

Word Family

Noun
trigger
Verb
trigger
Adjective
triggered
Related
triggering

Common Collocations

trigger an alarm to set off a warning device
trigger a reaction to cause a response to happen
trigger a memory to make someone remember something
trigger a crisis to cause a difficult situation to begin
trigger a response to elicit a specific answer or action

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

trigger vs cause

'Cause' is a general term for making something happen, while 'trigger' implies a sudden start or a specific initiating spark.

trigger vs target

'Target' refers to an objective or goal, whereas 'trigger' refers to the action of starting a process.

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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

transitive verb (requires an object) regular verb: trigger, triggered, triggering can be used in the passive voice (e.g., 'the alarm was triggered')
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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 Words

syngravent

C1

To formally reach a collective agreement or to consolidate disparate ideas into a singular, authoritative consensus through deliberation. It is typically used in academic or high-level professional contexts to describe the synthesis of various perspectives into a unified stance.

intracursancy

C1

The quality or state of occurring or being contained within a specific course, flow, or sequence of events. It describes phenomena that remain internal to a system or process without deviating into external paths.

homoaltersion

C1

To systematically modify a component or individual within a group so that it aligns identically with the properties of its counterparts. It describes the act of enforcing homogeneity through specific, calculated adjustments to maintain structural consistency.

homogratacy

C1

To achieve a state of collective agreement or uniform satisfaction within a group by aligning interests or expressing mutual gratitude. It involves the process of harmonizing conflicting viewpoints into a single, mutually pleasing outcome.

multipatership

C1

Multipatership refers to the biological phenomenon where a single litter or brood of offspring is sired by more than one father. In sociology, it describes the state of a woman having children with multiple different partners, often referred to as multi-partnered fertility.

periluddom

C1

A noun referring to the state or environment of anticipation and ritualized preparation that occurs just before a competitive event, game, or performance. It encompasses the collective psychological atmosphere and physical activities shared by participants and spectators before the main action begins.

circummentcy

C1

The act or state of bypassing restrictions, rules, or obstacles through strategic maneuvering or the exploitation of loopholes. It refers specifically to the quality of being able to find indirect routes to achieve a goal while avoiding direct confrontation with a system.

adcedent

C1

Describing a person, entity, or state that is in the process of acceding to an existing agreement, treaty, or organization. It refers to the act of joining or consenting to be bound by terms previously established by others.

misvalness

C1

To incorrectly estimate or judge the intrinsic worth or significance of something, particularly by failing to recognize its true essence or state. It refers to the act of assigning a wrong value to an object or concept based on a misunderstanding of its fundamental nature.

homotactible

C1

Describing objects, surfaces, or body parts that are sensitive to touch in an identical way or occupy the same position in a tactile arrangement. It is a technical term used to compare sensory perception across different areas or specimens.

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