trio

trio — noun

1. any grouping that consists of exactly three members, whether people or objects

1.nounB1
Definition

any grouping that consists of exactly three members, whether people or objects

Example

Nkechi, Rohan, and Élise formed a trio and volunteered to organise the school fair.

formed a trio — three names listed as the group members

A trio of mousse, crème brûlée, and sorbet arrived at the table.

trio of + nouns for three food items

Common collocations
  • a trio of
  • form a trio
  • an inseparable trio
  • a trio of friends
  • a trio of
Synonyms
  • threesome

    more informal, usually refers only to people, sometimes with a romantic meaning

  • triad

    more formal, often used for abstract concepts or organized groups

  • trilogy

    specifically for three related creative works, such as books or films

  • triplet

    usually refers to three babies born together or three identical musical notes

Grammar Patterns

trio of + noun

form a trio

Usage Note

Commonly used with the structure 'a trio of + plural noun' to describe any collection of three related items or people.

Common Mistakes

A trio of bird was sitting on the fence.
A trio of birds was sitting on the fence.
the noun after 'trio of' must be plural even though the verb is singular.

2. a small ensemble of three singers or instrumentalists that perform as a unit

2.nounB1
Definition

a small ensemble of three singers or instrumentalists that perform as a unit

Example

The jazz trio performed at a small club in the city centre last Saturday.

jazz trio — type of music before trio

Élise joined a piano trio with a violinist and a cellist from her music school.

piano trio — specifies the instruments in the group

Common collocations
  • jazz trio
  • piano trio
  • string trio
  • vocal trio
  • perform as a trio
  • lead a trio
Synonyms
  • ensemble

    a broader term for any group of performers, not limited to three

  • band

    usually refers to a group of popular musicians, not limited to three members

  • group

    a general term; specify 'group of three' for clarity

Grammar Patterns

trio + verb (as subject)

play in a trio

in a trio

Usage Note

The type of trio can be specified by the instruments (piano trio, string trio) or the style of music (jazz trio, folk trio). For singers, use 'vocal trio'.

Common Mistakes

They are a trio guitarists.
They are a trio of guitarists.' or 'They are a guitar trio.
use 'trio of + plural noun' or compound noun like 'guitar trio'.

3. a musical work written so that three performers can play or sing it together

3.nounB1
Definition

a musical work written so that three performers can play or sing it together

Example

The composer wrote a piano trio that became popular in concert halls across Europe.

piano trio — a specific type of composition

Lakan spent the afternoon learning the second movement of a Beethoven trio on his violin.

Common collocations
  • piano trio
  • string trio
  • compose a trio
  • perform a trio
  • trio for
  • movement of a trio
  • sheet music for a trio
Synonyms
  • composition

    a general term for any written piece of music, not limited to three performers

  • piece

    informal and general; specify 'piece for three players' for clarity

Grammar Patterns

compose a trio

play a trio

trio for + instrument

Usage Note

When specifying the instruments, use the pattern 'trio for [instrument, instrument, and instrument]'. Common types include piano trio (piano, violin, cello) and string trio (violin, viola, cello).

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to a set of three, but they differ in tone and typical use. 'Trio' is the most general and neutral — it works for people (a trio of friends), objects (a trio of islands), or performers (a jazz trio). 'Threesome' is more informal and almost always refers to people; it can also carry a sexual connotation, so use it with caution. 'Triad' has a formal or technical feel, often used in academic contexts (the triad of government branches) or for criminal organisations (the Triads). 'Trilogy' is restricted to three related creative works such as novels, films, or plays. For example: 'The Lord of the Rings is a fantasy trilogy,' but you would not say 'a trilogy of islands.'

trio ↗threesome ↗triadtrilogy ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • member of a trio
  • leader of a trio

Phrases

  • play as a trio
  • work as a trio
  • travel as a trio

Prepositions

  • as a trio
  • in a trio
  • of

Etymology

LatinItalianFrenchEnglish

The word 'trio' entered English in the early 18th century from Italian 'trio', which came from Latin 'tres' (three). It was first used in musical contexts to describe compositions for three voices or instruments, and later broadened to refer to any group of three people or things.