Trice in a Sentence: Meaning & Examples

Use trice in a sentence most often in the phrase in a trice, meaning very quickly or in a very short time. For example, “The mechanic fixed the loose handle in a trice.” The expression is idiomatic, somewhat old-fashioned, and described by Cambridge as mainly UK informal usage.

• The common modern pattern is in a trice, meaning very quickly.
• Trice is usually not used alone as a synonym for every quick action.
• Trice and thrice are different words: a trice is an instant; thrice means three times.
• A rare nautical verb means to haul or secure something with a rope.
• The idiom does not specify an exact number of seconds.

Trice in a sentence: the common pattern

In contemporary general English, trice most often appears after in a: in a trice. The phrase functions like an adverb and tells how quickly an action happened, as in “The cat slipped through the open door in a trice.”

Cambridge labels the expression mainly UK informal, while Oxford gives the example “He was gone in a trice.” It is understood more widely, but in a moment, very quickly, or in no time may sound more natural in everyday speech or in formal writing.

What does “in a trice” mean?

In a trice means in a very short time, quickly, or suddenly. It does not promise that an action took one second or any other exact duration; it is an expressive idiom, so the perceived speed depends on the situation.

“The cook chopped the herbs in a trice” presents the work as fast. “The bus arrived in a trice” may be playful or exaggerated if the wait was actually long. For a precise report, use a measured time instead of the idiom.

Is “trice” different from “thrice”?

Yes. Trice appears chiefly in in a trice, meaning very quickly; thrice means three times. Compare “He read the note in a trice” with “He read the note thrice.” The first emphasizes speed; the second counts repetitions, so choose the spelling that matches your meaning.

This spelling difference changes the meaning completely. If you are describing speed, write in a trice. If an action happened three times, write thrice or the more conversational three times.

The rare verb form

Yes, but the verb is rare outside nautical or historical contexts. In nautical use, trice up means to haul something up and secure it with a rope or line; this is a technical sense, distinct from the everyday idiom in a trice.

For ordinary writing, do not use trice as a general-purpose verb meaning “do quickly.” Write “She finished in a trice,” not “She triced her homework.” The second can confuse readers because it resembles the specialized rope-related verb.

Using the idiom naturally

Use in a trice for a quick, light, or slightly literary effect. It often fits narrative prose and playful examples better than technical reports, where a concrete duration or the plainer phrase quickly is clearer.

• The puppy found its toy in a trice.
• With the recipe beside her, Noor made the sauce in a trice.
• In a trice, the rain cleared and a strip of sunlight crossed the yard.
• The librarian returned the book to its shelf in a trice.
• He read the short message thrice to check each detail.

A useful editing test is to substitute very quickly. If the sentence keeps its intended meaning, in a trice probably works. If you mean “three times,” switch to thrice; if the exact duration matters, give the number of seconds or minutes.

More example sentences

Have you ever heard of the word “trice” before? It’s an interesting term that is often used to signify a very short amount of time or a quick action.

In essence, a trice is a moment, an instant, or a short period of time. It’s typically associated with swift movement or something that happens with suddenness.

7 Examples Of Trice Used In a Sentence For Kids

1. I can finish my juice in a trice.
2. She tied her shoes in a trice.
3. The magician pulled a rabbit out of the hat in a trice.
4. A butterfly flew away in a trice.
5. The wind blew the leaves off the tree in a trice.
6. The cat caught the mouse in a trice.
7. I can count to ten in a trice.

14 Sentences with Trice Examples

• Trice you finish your exam, make sure to double-check all your answers.
• Make sure to submit your assignment on time, as the deadline approaches in a trice.
• Trice you receive your grade, be prepared to discuss it with your professor.
• The semester will be over in a trice, so make the most of your time studying.
• Trice the lecture is over, be sure to review your notes while the information is fresh.
• It’s important to manage your time effectively in college, as deadlines can approach in a trice.
• Trice the library opens, head there to find a quiet place to study.
• Don’t wait until the last trice to start your research paper; give yourself plenty of time to work on it.
• Trice you see a job posting for an internship, apply before the opportunity is gone.
• Trice you receive feedback on your project, use it as a learning opportunity to improve.
• The college years will go by in a trice, so make sure to make the most of your experience.
• Trice the professor announces a group project, start coordinating with your team members.
• It’s easy to get overwhelmed with assignments and exams, so make a schedule to stay organized and avoid last-minute work in a trice.
• Trice you have the chance to attend a guest lecture or workshop, take advantage of the opportunity to expand your knowledge.

How To Use Trice in Sentences?

Trice

Trice is used to express the idea of something happening three times or completed in a set of three. When using Trice in a sentence, it is important to consider the context to ensure clarity in communication.

Here is a simple guide on how to use Trice in a sentence:

1. Placement: The word Trice typically appears before the action or event that is being repeated three times. For example, “He jumped in the pool Trice.” This means that he jumped into the pool three times.

2. Sentence structure: When using Trice, make sure the sentence structure is clear and concise. For instance, “She brushed her teeth Trice a day.” This clearly indicates that she brushes her teeth three times daily.

3. Variations: Trice can also be used in different forms within a sentence. For example, “Trice a week, they go jogging in the park.” Here, Trice is used to indicate the frequency of the activity being performed three times a week.

4. Usage context: It is important to use Trice in appropriate contexts where the action or event is repeated three times. Avoid using it in situations where the number three is not relevant.

By following these simple guidelines, beginners can effectively use Trice in sentences to convey the idea of something happening three times.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the examples provided highlight the versatility and impact of using the word “trice” in sentences. Its use in everyday language adds a sense of speed or immediacy, such as “She finished her work in a trice” or “He appeared out of nowhere in a trice.” These sentences show how “trice” can convey a sudden or swift action in a concise manner.

By incorporating “trice” into our vocabulary, we can express quickness and efficiency in communication. Whether describing a rapid movement, a swift completion of a task, or a sudden appearance, using “trice” can add vividness and emphasis to our sentences. Its ability to convey speed and quickness makes “trice” a valuable word that can enhance the clarity and impact of our expressions.

Conclusion: A trice in a sentence usually belongs in the idiom in a trice, meaning very quickly. Keep it distinct from thrice, which means three times, and reserve the verb trice up for its uncommon nautical sense.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trice in a Sentence

Is “in a trice” formal or informal?

In a trice is an idiom with a slightly old-fashioned or literary feel. Cambridge marks it mainly UK informal. It can add voice to storytelling, but in formal reports or plain instructions, quickly or a specific duration is usually clearer.

Can I write “a trice” without “in”?

The established everyday expression is in a trice. A bare phrase such as “a trice passed” sounds literary or unusual to many readers. If the goal is a natural sentence, keep the full idiom or choose a more common synonym such as a moment.

What is the difference between “in a trice” and “in a flash”?

Both phrases describe something happening very quickly. In a flash is more familiar in present-day conversation, while in a trice can sound more playful or old-fashioned. Neither phrase provides a precise measured duration; use a clock time when exact timing matters.

Does “trice” mean three times?

No. Trice is used mainly in in a trice, meaning in a very short time. Thrice means three times. For example, “She answered in a trice” means quickly, whereas “She answered thrice” means she answered three times.