excursion

What does “excursion” mean?

noun.a short journey or trip, especially one engaged in as a leisure activity.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in passages about travel, adventure, or exploration, emphasizing leisure or recreational aspects of a journey. It suggests a brief, enjoyable outing rather than an extensive or serious trip, distinguishing it from words like "expedition," which implies a more purposeful or challenging journey.

Common Confusions

Excursion implies a brief and enjoyable outing, while expedition usually suggests a longer, more serious journey undertaken for a specific purpose or challenge.

Example Sentences

• While driving home I took an excursion and saw some deer.

• The study of excursion has advanced significantly in recent decades.

Word Parts: How to Remember “excursion”

Break “excursion” into its parts: ex- (out of, from) + -cur- (run). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: ex- out of, from (Latin)
• Root: -cur- run (Latin)