Trip vs. Picnic — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
A trip is a journey or excursion, often to multiple places, while a picnic is a meal eaten outdoors in a scenic setting.
Difference Between Trip and Picnic
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A trip typically refers to the act of traveling from one place to another, which can be for various purposes such as leisure, business, or exploration. It often involves transportation, accommodations, and can last from a few hours to several months. A picnic, on the other hand, is an event where a meal is shared outdoors, usually in a park or a scenic area, often as part of a leisurely outing.
Trips are often characterized by their duration and the distance traveled. They can be short day trips to nearby towns or extended vacations to far-off countries. Picnics are generally brief events lasting a few hours and are focused on enjoying food and company in a pleasant outdoor environment. While trips can include picnics as activities, a picnic is not usually considered a trip in itself.
Planning for a trip can be extensive, requiring one to consider itineraries, lodging, and activities. Trips may also involve experiencing different cultures, cuisines, and landscapes. In contrast, picnics are simpler affairs, primarily involving the preparation of food, and perhaps some games or relaxation. Picnics are usually planned as escapes from daily routines without the complexity of traveling far.
The purpose of a trip can be multifaceted, ranging from relaxation to adventure, or even educational experiences. Trips offer broader experiences and can lead to personal growth and memories that span different locations and experiences. Picnics are primarily social and recreational, providing an opportunity to unwind and enjoy nature, often without any significant travel.
In essence, trips are about the journey and the destinations, encompassing a wide range of activities and experiences. Picnics are specific activities, centered around the enjoyment of a meal in the outdoors, often serving as a momentary retreat rather than an extended journey.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A journey from one place to another.
An outdoor meal in a scenic setting.
Duration
Can vary from a few hours to months.
Usually lasts a few hours.
Purpose
Leisure, business, exploration, etc.
Recreation and enjoyment of nature.
Planning
Involves itineraries, lodging, activities.
Involves meal preparation, possibly games.
Cultural Experience
May involve experiencing various cultures.
Focused on local enjoyment and relaxation.
Compare with Definitions
Trip
A going from one place to another; a journey.
Picnic
An easier task or situation.
The test was no picnic for those who didn't study.
Trip
A stumble or fall.
Picnic
A meal that typically includes sandwiches, salads, and other easily portable foods.
We packed a picnic with fresh fruits and sandwiches.
Trip
A maneuver causing someone to stumble or fall.
Picnic
An outdoor meal where food is eaten in a scenic or natural setting.
They enjoyed a picnic by the lakeside.
Trip
A mistake.
Picnic
A picnic is a meal taken outdoors (al fresco) as part of an excursion, especially in scenic surroundings, such as a park, lakeside, or other place affording an interesting view, or else in conjunction with a public event such as preceding an open-air theater performance, and usually in summer. Picnics are usually meant for the late mornings or midday, but could also be held later in the day.
Trip
A hallucinatory experience induced by a psychedelic drug
An acid trip.
Picnic
A meal eaten outdoors, as on an excursion.
Trip
An intense, stimulating, or exciting experience
A power trip.
Picnic
(Slang) An easy task or pleasant experience
Finishing the project on time was no picnic.
Trip
A usually temporary but absorbing interest or preoccupation
He's on another health food trip.
Picnic
A smoked section of pork foreleg and shoulder.
Trip
A certain way of life or situation
"deny that his reclusiveness is some sort of deliberate star trip" (Patricia Bosworth).
Picnic
To go on or participate in a picnic.
Trip
A light or nimble tread.
Picnic
An informal social gathering, usually in a natural outdoor setting, to which the participants bring their own food and drink.
We went out for a picnic in the forest.
Trip
A device, such as a pawl, for triggering a mechanism.
Picnic
The meal eaten at such a gathering.
Trip
The action of such a device.
Picnic
(figurative) An easy or pleasant task.
We remind the guests that dealing with this problem is no picnic, and to be patient.
Trip
To stumble.
Picnic
(obsolete) An entertainment at which each person contributed some dish to a common table.
Trip
To move nimbly with light rapid steps; skip.
Picnic
A cut of pork from the shoulder area (above the front leg) of a pig.
Trip
To be released, as a tooth on an escapement wheel in a watch.
Picnic
To take part in a picnic.
Trip
To make a trip.
Picnic
Formerly, an entertainment at which each person contributed some dish to a common table; now, an excursion or pleasure party in which the members partake of a collation or repast (usually in the open air, and from food carried by themselves).
Trip
To make a mistake
Tripped up on the last question.
Picnic
To go on a picnic, or pleasure excursion; to eat in public fashion.
Trip
(Slang) To have a drug-induced hallucination.
Picnic
A day devoted to an outdoor social gathering
Trip
To cause to stumble or fall.
Picnic
Any undertaking that is easy to do;
Marketing this product will be no picnic
Trip
To trap or catch in an error or inconsistency.
Picnic
Any informal meal eaten outside or on an excursion
Trip
To release (a catch, trigger, or switch), thereby setting something in operation.
Picnic
Eat alfresco, in the open air;
We picnicked near the lake on this gorgeous Sunday
Trip
To raise (an anchor) from the bottom.
Picnic
An outing or occasion that involves taking a packed meal to be eaten outdoors.
The company organized a picnic for all employees.
Trip
To tip or turn (a yardarm) into a position for lowering.
Picnic
A pleasant or carefree experience.
Watching the sunset from the hilltop was a real picnic.
Trip
To lift (an upper mast) in order to remove the fid before lowering.
Trip
A journey; an excursion or jaunt.
We made a trip to the beach.
Trip
A stumble or misstep.
He was injured due to a trip down the stairs.
Trip
An error; a failure; a mistake.
Trip
(colloquial) A period of time in which one experiences drug-induced reverie or hallucinations.
He had a strange trip after taking LSD.
Trip
(by extension) Intense involvement in or enjoyment of a condition.
Ego trip
Power trip
Nostalgia trip
Guilt trip
Trip
A faux pas, a social error.
Trip
(engineering) A mechanical cutout device.
Trip
(electricity) A trip-switch or cut-out.
It's dark because the trip operated.
Trip
A quick, light step; a lively movement of the feet; a skip.
Trip the light fantastic
Trip
(obsolete) A small piece; a morsel; a bit.
Trip
The act of tripping someone, or causing them to lose their footing.
Trip
(nautical) A single board, or tack, in plying, or beating, to windward.
Trip
A herd or flock of sheep, goats, etc.
Trip
(obsolete) A troop of men; a host.
Trip
A flock of wigeons.
Trip
(intransitive) To fall over or stumble over an object as a result of striking it with one's foot
Be careful not to trip on the tree roots.
Trip
To cause (a person or animal) to fall or stumble by knocking their feet from under them.
A pedestrian was able to trip the burglar as he was running away.
Trip
(intransitive) To be guilty of a misstep or mistake; to commit an offence against morality, propriety, etc
Trip
To detect in a misstep; to catch; to convict.
Trip
(transitive) To activate or set in motion, as in the activation of a trap, explosive, or switch.
When we get into the factory, trip the lights.
Trip
(intransitive) To be activated, as by a signal or an event
The alarm system tripped, throwing everyone into a panic.
Trip
(intransitive) To experience a state of reverie or to hallucinate, due to consuming psychoactive drugs.
After taking the LSD, I started tripping about fairies and colors.
Trip
(intransitive) To journey, to make a trip.
Last summer, we tripped to the coast.
Trip
To move with light, quick steps; to walk or move lightly; to skip.
Trip
(nautical) To raise (an anchor) from the bottom, by its cable or buoy rope, so that it hangs free.
Trip
(nautical) To pull (a yard) into a perpendicular position for lowering it.
Trip
To become unreasonably upset, especially over something unimportant; to cause a scene or a disruption.
Trip
(poker slang) Of or relating to trips three of a kind.
Trip
To move with light, quick steps; to walk or move lightly; to skip; to move the feet nimbly; - sometimes followed by it. See It, 5.
This horse anon began to trip and dance.
Come, and trip it, as you go,On the light fantastic toe.
She bounded by, and tripped so lightThey had not time to take a steady sight.
Trip
To make a brief journey or pleasure excursion; as, to trip to Europe.
Trip
To take a quick step, as when in danger of losing one's balance; hence, to make a false step; to catch the foot; to lose footing; to stumble.
Trip
Fig.: To be guilty of a misstep; to commit an offense against morality, propriety, or rule; to err; to mistake; to fail.
A blind will thereupon comes to be led by a blind understanding; there is no remedy, but it must trip and stumble.
Virgil is so exact in every word that none can be changed but for a worse; he pretends sometimes to trip, but it is to make you think him in danger when most secure.
What? dost thou verily trip upon a word?
Trip
To cause to stumble, or take a false step; to cause to lose the footing, by striking the feet from under; to cause to fall; to throw off the balance; to supplant; - often followed by up; as, to trip up a man in wrestling.
The words of Hobbes's defense trip up the heels of his cause.
Trip
To overthrow by depriving of support; to put an obstacle in the way of; to obstruct; to cause to fail.
To trip the course of law, and blunt the sword.
Trip
To detect in a misstep; to catch; to convict; also called trip up.
These her women can trip me if I err.
Trip
To raise (an anchor) from the bottom, by its cable or buoy rope, so that it hangs free.
Trip
To release, let fall, or set free, as a weight or compressed spring, as by removing a latch or detent; to activate by moving a release mechanism, often unintentionally; as, to trip an alarm.
Trip
A quick, light step; a lively movement of the feet; a skip.
His heart bounded as he sometimes could hear the trip of a light female step glide to or from the door.
Trip
A brief or rapid journey; an excursion or jaunt.
I took a trip to London on the death of the queen.
Trip
A false step; a stumble; a misstep; a loss of footing or balance. Fig.: An error; a failure; a mistake.
Imperfect words, with childish trips.
Each seeming trip, and each digressive start.
Trip
A small piece; a morsel; a bit.
Trip
A stroke, or catch, by which a wrestler causes his antagonist to lose footing.
And watches with a trip his foe to foil.
It is the sudden trip in wrestling that fetches a man to the ground.
Trip
A single board, or tack, in plying, or beating, to windward.
Trip
A herd or flock, as of sheep, goats, etc.
Trip
A troop of men; a host.
Trip
A flock of widgeons.
Trip
A journey for some purpose (usually including the return);
He took a trip to the shopping center
Trip
A hallucinatory experience induced by drugs;
An acid trip
Trip
An accidental misstep threatening (or causing) a fall;
He blamed his slip on the ice
The jolt caused many slips and a few spills
Trip
An exciting or stimulting experience
Trip
A catch mechanism that acts as a switch;
The pressure activates the tripper and releases the water
Trip
A light or nimble tread;
He heard the trip of women's feet overhead
Trip
An unintentional but embarrassing blunder;
He recited the whole poem without a single trip
He arranged his robes to avoid a trip-up later
Confusion caused his unfortunate misstep
Trip
Miss a step and fall or nearly fall;
She stumbled over the tree root
Trip
Cause to stumble;
The questions on the test tripped him up
Trip
Make a trip for pleasure
Trip
Put in motion or move to act;
Trigger a reaction
Actuate the circuits
Trip
Get high, stoned, or drugged;
He trips every weekend
Trip
A journey or excursion, especially for pleasure.
We're planning a trip to the Grand Canyon next summer.
Trip
An act of stumbling or losing one's balance.
She took a trip on the uneven sidewalk.
Trip
A hallucinatory experience caused by drugs.
He had a bad trip after taking an unknown substance.
Trip
A device that activates or deactivates a mechanism.
The burglar was caught by a tripwire alarm.
Trip
A period of time spent in a particular way.
His business trip lasted three days.
Common Curiosities
How long can a trip last?
A trip can last anywhere from a few hours to several months.
What is a trip?
A trip is a journey or excursion from one place to another.
What do people do on a trip?
People can sightsee, explore, relax, or engage in various activities on a trip.
Do picnics require planning?
Picnics usually require some planning, mainly around food and location.
What is a picnic?
A picnic is a meal eaten outdoors in a scenic setting as a leisure activity.
What is the main purpose of a picnic?
The main purpose of a picnic is to enjoy a meal in the outdoors and relax.
What food is typically brought on a picnic?
Picnic foods are usually portable, like sandwiches, salads, fruits, and snacks.
Are picnics casual or formal events?
Picnics are typically casual, but can be made formal if desired.
What equipment is needed for a picnic?
Basic picnic equipment includes a blanket, basket, utensils, and sometimes portable chairs or games.
Do trips always involve staying overnight?
No, trips can be day trips without overnight stays.
Can a picnic be part of a trip?
Yes, people often enjoy picnics as an activity during a trip.
Can trips be educational?
Yes, trips can be educational, offering cultural and historical insights.
Is a picnic considered a trip?
A picnic is not typically considered a trip since it's a single activity rather than a journey.
What should one bring on a trip?
It depends on the destination, but generally clothing, travel documents, and personal items are necessary.
How do you choose a picnic spot?
Choose a scenic, comfortable, and accessible location, preferably with amenities like tables or restrooms.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
