tricycle

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tricycle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a three-wheeled vehicle with pedals. For example: I learned to ride a tricycle when I was only three years old.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Later, while living in Manchester and working on the Town Hall murals, he painted Madeline Scott, daughter of CP Scott, editor of the Manchester Guardian, sitting proudly astride her tricycle – the first time that such a contraption had ever been wheeled into a portrait painting.

The Guardian - Arts

A child's jaunt on a tricycle might become quite exciting.

The Economist

Then come the tricycle pedallers, the most successful of which rely on good relations with hotels or office blocks to get the juiciest business in waste-paper, cardboard and aluminium cans.

The Economist

Dhaka's garishly painted tricycle rickshaws, battered buses, occasional goats and luxury cars somehow all manage to creep onward.

The Economist

The sort of thing you would get, in fact, if a man on a tricycle sat inside an outsized pepper pot.

The Economist

And instead of a Ferrari knock-off, you get a space-age tricycle.

The Economist

It was dusk.A kindly chap offered me a ride on his flat-bed tricycle, and we set off.

The Economist

The becak, or tricycle taxi, is used only for local neighbourhood transportation, and regular taxis now operate throughout the metropolitan area.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Late in the conflict, it was joined by the Lockheed L-049 Constellation (instantly identifiable by its triple vertical fins), originally designed in 1939 as a commercial airliner that blended a pressurized fuselage, tricycle landing gear, and other state-of-the-art features.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although numerous examples continued to serve in the postwar years, they were eventually succeeded by the Ilyushin Il-12, a trim unpressurized twin-engine transport that also featured retractable tricycle landing gear.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The de Dion tricycle dominated the sport in 1897, but two-wheelers like the Werner soon set the stage for an entirely different form of racing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about vehicles, be specific. Use "tricycle" to refer to a three-wheeled cycle, especially one for children, to avoid ambiguity with other three-wheeled vehicles.

Common error

Avoid using "tricycle" interchangeably with terms like "trike" or "cycle rickshaw" unless the context is clear. While "trike" is an acceptable abbreviation, "cycle rickshaw" refers to a specific transportation vehicle, primarily in Asian countries, and isn't a general term for a child's riding toy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tricycle" is as a noun. It refers to a specific type of vehicle with three wheels, typically used by young children. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in descriptive contexts, such as "a space-age tricycle" or "a child's jaunt on a tricycle”.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

34%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "tricycle" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a three-wheeled vehicle, especially one designed for children. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts. Its usage is common in news media, encyclopedias, and general discussions. While "trike" serves as an informal alternative, "cycle rickshaw" refers to a specific type of transportation. When writing about tricycles, it's best practice to be specific in order to differentiate it from other three-wheeled vehicles. Common errors include using "tricycle" interchangeably with "cycle rickshaw" without considering the audience. In conclusion, “tricycle” is a versatile term applicable in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

three-wheeled cycle

Replaces "tricycle" with a more descriptive term emphasizing the number of wheels.

three-wheel bike

Simple rephrasing of "tricycle".

three-wheeled bicycle

Emphasizes the bicycle aspect of a tricycle.

cycle with three wheels

Restructures the phrase while maintaining the core meaning.

trike

A shortened, more informal version of "tricycle".

pedal-powered three-wheeler

Highlights the method of propulsion.

child's three-wheeler

Specifies the typical user of a tricycle.

three-wheeled vehicle

Broadens the term to include other vehicles with three wheels.

cycle rickshaw

Refers to a specific type of tricycle used for transportation.

velocipede

An older, less common term for a tricycle or early bicycle.

FAQs

How is a tricycle different from a bicycle?

A tricycle has three wheels, providing more stability, while a bicycle has two wheels and requires balance. Other variations include the "tandem bicycle", in which two riders sit one behind the other, the front rider steering; and stationary exercise bicycles.

What is another name for a tricycle?

A common alternative name for a tricycle is "trike". The word “tricycle” is correct and usable in written English, according to Ludwig AI.

Is a tricycle safer than a bicycle for children?

Generally, tricycles are considered safer for very young children who have not yet developed the balance required for a bicycle, providing more stability than a "two-wheeled bike".

What are some uses of tricycles beyond children's toys?

While commonly associated with children, tricycles are also used as cycle rickshaws for transportation in some countries. Moreover, adult tricycles are available for people with balance issues, or as mobility aids.