What is trust? Pronunciation and usage in English

trust means . Learn how to pronounce and use trust through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of trust

trustnoun/verb

/trʌst/
Definition & pronunciation of trust

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "trust" in English. Here's a breakdown of the sounds and a few helpful tips:

1. The Sounds:

  • tr: This is pronounced like the "try" sound – /tr/. It's a quick, sharp 't' followed immediately by a 'r'.
  • ust: This part is where it can trip people up. It's pronounced like /ʌst/. Let's break that down further:
    • uh: This is a short, slightly relaxed "uh" sound, like in the word "but." It's not a long "oo" sound.
    • st: This is pronounced like the "st" in "stop."

2. Putting it Together:

The whole word is roughly pronounced: "trʌst" (with a slight emphasis on the first syllable - "tr").

3. Tips for Pronunciation:

  • The “r” sound: American English usually makes a distinct "r" sound after a vowel. So, it's not a swallowed "r" like you might hear in some British accents.
  • Short "uh" sound: Really focus on that short, relaxed “uh” sound in the middle. Don't say "trust" like "trust" (with a long "u" sound).
  • Don’t over-emphasize the first syllable: While “tr” does get a little bit of emphasis, don’t make it dramatically louder than the "ust" part.

4. Resources to Listen:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word trust in English

Let's break down how to use the word "trust" in English. It's a really versatile word with a lot of different meanings and ways to use it. Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. As a Verb (Action - To Believe/Have Confidence)

  • Basic Meaning: To believe that someone or something is reliable and can be depended on.
    • Example: "I trust my friend to keep my secret." (I believe my friend is reliable and won't tell anyone.)
    • Example: "You can trust me to be on time." (I’m reliable and you can depend on me.)
  • Phrases:
    • Trust in: To have confidence in something or someone.
      • Example: "She trusts in her abilities." (She has confidence in her abilities.)
    • Trust to: To rely on something or someone.
      • Example: "We trust to the weather forecast." (We rely on the forecast.)
    • Trust for: To depend on someone for something.
      • Example: "I trust for you to handle this situation." (I am depending on you to handle this.)

2. As a Noun (State - Belief/Confidence)

  • Basic Meaning: Belief that someone is reliable or honest. A feeling of confidence.
    • Example: "He has a strong trust in his instincts." (He has a strong belief in his instincts.)
    • Example: “There was a lack of trust between the two companies.” (There was a lack of confidence in the relationship.)
  • Phrases:
    • Trustworthy: (adjective) – Describing someone who can be trusted.
      • Example: "She is a trustworthy colleague."
    • Loss of trust: (noun) – The situation where trust is no longer present.
      • Example: “The scandal caused a loss of trust in the government.”

3. Using "Trust" in Different Contexts

  • Relationships: This is where “trust” is most commonly used.
    • Example: “Building trust takes time and honesty.”
    • Example: "It's crucial to trust your partner."
  • Business/Professional:
    • Example: "We need to trust our employees to make good decisions."
    • Example: "The company’s reputation is built on trust with its customers."
  • General Confidence:
    • Example: “I trust that everything will be alright.” (I have confidence that things will be okay.)
    • Example: "Don't trust everything you read online." (Don't believe everything you see/hear.)

4. Important Related Words & Phrases

  • To betray trust: To break someone’s trust.
  • Earn trust: To gain someone’s confidence.
  • Break trust: To damage or destroy someone’s trust.
  • Implicit trust: Trust that is assumed without being explicitly stated. (e.g., you trust a doctor to act in your best interest)
  • Explicit trust: Trust that is clearly stated or shown. (e.g., “I trust you to be here on time.”)

Tips for Using “Trust” Effectively:

  • Consider the Context: Pay attention to whether you're talking about a person, a relationship, an idea, or something else.
  • Show, Don't Just Tell: Instead of just saying “I trust you,” demonstrate it through your actions.
  • Be Genuine: Trust is earned, not given.

Could you tell me a little more about how you’d like me to help you with "trust"? For example:

  • Are you working on a specific sentence and need help with phrasing?
  • Are you trying to understand a certain nuance of the word’s meaning?
  • Would you like some example sentences tailored to a particular situation (e.g., a workplace scenario, a romantic relationship)?

Synonyms for the word trust

Idioms of the word trust

in somebody’s trust | in the trust of somebody
being taken care of by somebody
  • The family pet was left in the trust of a neighbour.
take something on trust
to believe what somebody says even though you do not have any proof or evidence to show that it is true

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