tramp

Everyday

1. A person with no home or job who wanders from place to place (older word; now people say «homeless person»). tree →
2. To walk with heavy, loud steps. tree →
3. A long walk, especially in the countryside. tree →
4. (NZ) To hike in the bush or mountains: «tramping». tree →
5. (old-fashioned, rude, mainly US) An insulting word for a woman, used to say she has many boyfriends — avoid it. tree →
6. A ship that carries goods to any port, not on a fixed route (tramp steamer). tree →

In the lessons

In New Zealand «tramping» is the normal word for hiking, and «a tramp» is a hike on a track. In stories a tramp may be a poor wanderer, as in old films. «Tramping through mud» shows heavy walking. Phrases: «go tramping», «tramp through», «tramping track».

Examples

• We tramped through the muddy field in our wellies. tree →
• In New Zealand we went tramping on the Tongariro track. tree →
• The boys tramped up the stairs. tree →
• An old tramp slept under the bridge in the story. tree →
• It was a long tramp to the top of the hill. tree →
• Kind people gave the tramp a hot meal. tree →
• (NZ) Our class went on a three-day tramp. tree →
• In the meantime Niels and the others tramped on towards Rome. tree →

Note

Calling someone «a tramp» is unkind; today say «a homeless person» or «someone sleeping rough». The rude sense about women is insulting — do not use it. In NZ «tramping» = hiking; in Australia «bushwalking»; in the US «hiking».