imtoken中文钱包下载|try
TRY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
TRY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
Dictionary
Translate
Grammar
Thesaurus
+Plus
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Shop
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Log in
/
Sign up
English (UK)
Search
Search
English
Meaning of try in English
tryverb uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/traɪ/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/traɪ/
try verb
(ATTEMPT)
Add to word list
Add to word list
A2 [ I or T ] to attempt to do something: Keep trying and you'll find a job eventually. If I don't get into the academy this year, I'll try again next year. I've tried really hard but I can't convince him to come. I'm trying my best/hardest, but I just can't do it. [ + to infinitive ] I tried to open the window. [ + -ing verb ] Maybe you should try getting up (= you should get up) earlier.
Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples
to try to do somethingtryI'll try to call her again.attemptI have never attempted to run a marathon.endeavourUK Engineers are endeavouring to locate the source of the problem.seekThey sought to reassure the public.battleHe was battling to fix the roof in the rain.striveWith limited resources, they are striving to make the school a better one.
See more results »
More examplesFewer examplesShe can be really irritating but I try to ignore her.We must try to spend less money.I never seem to lose any weight, no matter how hard I try.She lay back in the dentist's chair and tried to relax.The driver was peering into the distance trying to read the road sign.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Trying and making an effort
A game
all out
assault
attempt
attempted
commitment
give something your best shot idiom
go after someone
go all out idiom
go down swinging/fighting idiom
go for someone
nose
shoot for the moon idiom
shoot the works idiom
smarten (someone/something) up
smarten up your act idiom
spare
square the circle idiom
stretch
struggle
See more results »
try verb
(TEST)
B1 [ T ] to test something to see if it is suitable or useful or if it works: I tried that recipe you gave me last night. We don't sell newspapers - have you tried the coffee shop on the corner? [ + -ing verb ] Try using a different shampoo. I'd like to try parachuting. I forgot my door-keys - we'd better try the window (= test it to see if it is open).
tried and tested/trusted (US tried and true)
used by many people and proved to be effective: Most people would prefer to stick to tried and tested methods of birth control.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Testing, checking and experimenting
artefact
assay
background check
blood draw
calibrate
experimental
experimentally
experimentation
experimenter
factorial
inoculate
put someone/something through their/its paces idiom
put something to the test idiom
recheck
reinspect
reinspection
uncheckable
untestable
untested
welfare check
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Efficient and effective
try verb
(LAW)
C2 [ T ] to examine a person accused of committing a crime in a law court by asking them questions and considering known facts, and then decide if they are guilty: Because of security implications the officers were tried in secret. They are being tried for murder. See also
trial noun (LEGAL PROCESS)
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Taking legal action
abatement order
ambulance-chasing
appear for someone
bring
bring an action
complainant
enter
indict
indictment
lawyer
lawyer up
legal action
litigant
litigate
petitioner
prosecute
prosecution
prosecutorial
reindict
reindictment
See more results »
try verb
(WORRY)
[ T ] to worry or annoy someone or upset a person's patience with many, often slight, difficulties: The demands of the job have tried him sorely. He's been trying my patience all morning with his constant questions. Her endless demands would try the patience of a saint (= are very annoying).
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Causing feelings of anger and displeasure
aggravate
aggrieve
alienate
anger
annoy
bend
give someone the shits idiom
go too far idiom
goat
grate
hack someone off
nark
needle
rile
rub
rub someone up the wrong way idiom
ruffle
ruffle someone's feathers idiom
tooth
troll
See more results »
Idioms
try something for size
try your hand at something
try your luck
try it onPhrasal verbs
try for something
try something on
try something out
try something out on someone
try out for something
trynoun uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/traɪ/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/traɪ/
try noun
(ATTEMPT)
B2 [ C usually singular ] an attempt to do something: They might still have tickets left - why don't you give it a try? This will be her third try at jumping the bar. You could ask him if he's willing - it's worth a try.
More examplesFewer examplesI can't get the cork out of the bottle - could you have a try?I've never done it before but I'd like to have a try .After several tries to pronounce my name properly, he asked if he could just call me Sam instead!Hey - that was a really good try! You'll soon be able to play the whole tune.Your little brother wants a try - pass him the ball, Katie.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Trying and making an effort
A game
all out
assault
attempt
attempted
commitment
give something your best shot idiom
go after someone
go all out idiom
go down swinging/fighting idiom
go for someone
nose
shoot for the moon idiom
shoot the works idiom
smarten (someone/something) up
smarten up your act idiom
spare
square the circle idiom
stretch
struggle
See more results »
try noun
(SPORT)
[ C ] (in the game of rugby) the act of a player putting the ball on the ground behind the opposing team's goal line, which scores points for the player's team
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Rugby
22 metre drop-out
advantage rule
All Blacks
ankle tap
attacking half
breakdown
fifteen
home nations
hospital pass
knock
knock (something) on
match fit
prop
scrum half
scrummager
shirt pad
shoulder charge
squad rotation
steal
test match
See more results »
(Definition of try from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)
try | American Dictionary
tryverb us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/trɑɪ/
try verb
(ATTEMPT)
Add to word list
Add to word list
[ I/T ] to make an effort to do something: [ I ] Try to open this jar for me. [ I ] You’ll have to try harder. [ T ] I’m trying my best. [ I ] Maybe you should try getting up earlier (= should wake earlier).
try verb
(TEST)
[ T ] to test something to see if it is suitable or useful, or if it will work: Have you tried that new recipe yet? I want to try scuba diving. Try the back door (= see if it is open).
try verb
(EXAMINE IN COURT)
[ T ] law to examine a person accused of committing a crime in a court of law to decide if the person is guilty: He was tried for fraud.
Idioms
try your hand at something
try someone’s patiencePhrasal verbs
try something out on someone
try on something
try out
try out something
trynoun [ C ] us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/trɑɪ/
try noun [C]
(ATTEMPT)
an effort to do something; an attempt: This will be her third try at an Olympic medal. I decided to give skiing a try.
(Definition of try from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
try | Business English
tryverb [ T ]
LAW uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/traɪ/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
Add to word list
Add to word list
to bring someone who is accused of a crime to a court of law to decide if they are guilty: be tried for sth The brothers were tried for financial crimes involving fraudulent use of depositors' money. Their case is being tried next week.
(Definition of try from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
Examples of try
try
It is this affective and evaluative progress that teachers might try to develop in pupils in order to develop their skills of musical thinking further.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
If the child refused, the first author tried again up to two more times.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
Our point here is simply that it makes little sense to try to maintain that the explicit representations are abstract and the implicit are not.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
These observations should encourage the theoretical community to reconsider their theories and try to explain why both z and u appear to play dynamical roles.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
They were told that the purpose of the procedure was to observe the child trying to wait.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
They tried to mimic the accent of those who taught them.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
We first tried to adapt these systems to proof systems.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
In light of this, it would seem appropriate to try another analytical approach that could be appropriate for strongly nonlinear systems.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
He tries to turn the tables, thereby running the risk of turning philosophy into psychology.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
I'm trying to make things that invite people to interact with them and which will run by themselves.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
I always take a kind of 'what if ' approach, and try to do new things.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
Among the 10 students, 2 would volunteer, 5 would accept, 3 would try to avoid the task, and none would refuse to undertake it.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
I have tried many of them with my students - and they work!
From the Cambridge English Corpus
It is tempting to try to compare this volume to an imaginary book which it doesn't try to be.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
I am going to try to take some first steps toward this goal in this article.
From the Cambridge English Corpus
See all examples of try
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
What is the pronunciation of try?
A2,B1,C2,B2
Translations of try
in Chinese (Traditional)
試圖, 試圖,想要, 設法,努力…
See more
in Chinese (Simplified)
试图, 试图,想要, 设法,努力…
See more
in Spanish
intentar, probar, intento…
See more
in Portuguese
tentar, provar, experimentar…
See more
in more languages
in Marathi
in Japanese
in Turkish
in French
in Catalan
in Dutch
in Tamil
in Hindi
in Gujarati
in Danish
in Swedish
in Malay
in German
in Norwegian
in Urdu
in Ukrainian
in Russian
in Telugu
in Arabic
in Bengali
in Czech
in Indonesian
in Thai
in Vietnamese
in Polish
in Korean
in Italian
प्रयत्न करणे, करून पाहणे, खटला चालवणे…
See more
~しようとする, 試しに~してみる, ~を試す…
See more
çalışmak, kalkışmak, girişmek…
See more
essayer, tester, juger…
See more
intentar, provar, tastar…
See more
proberen, uitproberen, terechtstaan…
See more
ஏதாவது செய்ய முயற்சிக்க, இது பொருத்தமானதா அல்லது பயனுள்ளதா அல்லது அது செயல்படுகிறதா என்பதைப் பார்க்க எதையாவது சோதிக்க, ஒரு சட்ட நீதிமன்றத்தில் குற்றம் செய்ததாக குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்ட ஒரு நபரை கேள்விகளைக் கேட்பதன் மூலமும்…
See more
प्रयत्न करना, कोशिश करना, (उपयुक्तता या उपयोगिता जांचने के किये कुछ) प्रयास करना…
See more
પ્રયાસ કરવો, કોશિષ કરવી, અજમાવવું…
See more
prøve, forsøge, stille for retten…
See more
försöka, pröva (prova) [med att], smaka…
See more
mencuba, membicarakan, menguji…
See more
versuchen, probieren, vor Gericht stellen…
See more
prøve, forsøke, teste…
See more
کوشش کرنا, مقدمہ چلانا, چھان بین کرنا…
See more
старатися, намагатися, спробувати…
See more
пытаться, стараться, пробовать…
See more
ప్రయత్నం, ప్రయత్నించు, విచారించు / న్యాయస్థానంలో నేరం చేసినట్లు ఆరోపణలు ఎదుర్కొంటున్న వ్యక్తిని ప్రశ్నలు అడగడం ద్వారా…
See more
يُحاوِل, يُجَرِّب, مُحاوَلة…
See more
চেষ্টা করা, পরীক্ষা করে দেখা, ব্যবহারযোগ্য কিনা সেটা যাচাই করে দেখা…
See more
pokusit se, zkusit, soudit…
See more
berusaha, mencoba, mengadili…
See more
พยายาม, ทดสอบ, สอบสวนในศาล…
See more
cố gắng, thử, xét xử…
See more
próbować, sądzić, osądzać…
See more
노력하다, 시도하다, 노력…
See more
provare, cercare, tentare…
See more
Need a translator?
Get a quick, free translation!
Translator tool
Browse
truther
truthful
truthfully
truthfulness
try
try for something
try it on idiom
try out for something
try someone’s patience idiom
More meanings of try
All
try-out
try, at go
try on something
try something out on someone
try out
try out something
try your hand at something idiom
See all meanings
Phrasal Verbs
try on something
try something out on someone
try out
try out something
try something on
try for something
try something out
See all phrasal verb meanings
Idioms and phrases
try your hand at something idiom
try someone’s patience idiom
do/try your (very) best phrase
try it on idiom
do/try your utmost idiom
try your luck idiom
try something for size idiom
See all idioms and phrases
Word of the Day
response
UK
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/rɪˈspɒns/
US
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/rɪˈspɑːns/
an answer or reaction
About this
Blog
Forget doing it or forget to do it? Avoiding common mistakes with verb patterns (2)
March 06, 2024
Read More
New Words
inverse vaccine
March 11, 2024
More new words
has been added to list
To top
Contents
EnglishAmericanBusinessExamplesTranslations
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024
Learn
Learn
Learn
New Words
Help
In Print
Word of the Year 2021
Word of the Year 2022
Word of the Year 2023
Develop
Develop
Develop
Dictionary API
Double-Click Lookup
Search Widgets
License Data
About
About
About
Accessibility
Cambridge English
Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Consent Management
Cookies and Privacy
Corpus
Terms of Use
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Dictionary
Definitions
Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English
English
Learner’s Dictionary
Essential British English
Essential American English
Translations
Click on the arrows to change the translation direction.
Bilingual Dictionaries
English–Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Simplified)–English
English–Chinese (Traditional)
Chinese (Traditional)–English
English–Dutch
Dutch–English
English–French
French–English
English–German
German–English
English–Indonesian
Indonesian–English
English–Italian
Italian–English
English–Japanese
Japanese–English
English–Norwegian
Norwegian–English
English–Polish
Polish–English
English–Portuguese
Portuguese–English
English–Spanish
Spanish–English
English–Swedish
Swedish–English
Semi-bilingual Dictionaries
English–Arabic
English–Bengali
English–Catalan
English–Czech
English–Danish
English–Gujarati
English–Hindi
English–Korean
English–Malay
English–Marathi
English–Russian
English–Tamil
English–Telugu
English–Thai
English–Turkish
English–Ukrainian
English–Urdu
English–Vietnamese
Translate
Grammar
Thesaurus
Pronunciation
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Shop
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Log in /
Sign up
English (UK)
Change
English (UK)
English (US)
Español
Русский
Português
Deutsch
Français
Italiano
中文 (简体)
正體中文 (繁體)
Polski
한국어
Türkçe
日本語
Tiếng Việt
Nederlands
Svenska
Dansk
Norsk
हिंदी
বাঙ্গালি
मराठी
ગુજરાતી
தமிழ்
తెలుగు
Українська
Follow us
Choose a dictionary
Recent and Recommended
Definitions
Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English
English
Learner’s Dictionary
Essential British English
Essential American English
Grammar and thesaurus
Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English
Grammar
Thesaurus
Pronunciation
British and American pronunciations with audio
English Pronunciation
Translation
Click on the arrows to change the translation direction.
Bilingual Dictionaries
English–Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Simplified)–English
English–Chinese (Traditional)
Chinese (Traditional)–English
English–Dutch
Dutch–English
English–French
French–English
English–German
German–English
English–Indonesian
Indonesian–English
English–Italian
Italian–English
English–Japanese
Japanese–English
English–Norwegian
Norwegian–English
English–Polish
Polish–English
English–Portuguese
Portuguese–English
English–Spanish
Spanish–English
English–Swedish
Swedish–English
Semi-bilingual Dictionaries
English–Arabic
English–Bengali
English–Catalan
English–Czech
English–Danish
English–Gujarati
English–Hindi
English–Korean
English–Malay
English–Marathi
English–Russian
English–Tamil
English–Telugu
English–Thai
English–Turkish
English–Ukrainian
English–Urdu
English–Vietnamese
Dictionary +Plus
Word Lists
Choose your language
English (UK)
English (US)
Español
Русский
Português
Deutsch
Français
Italiano
中文 (简体)
正體中文 (繁體)
Polski
한국어
Türkçe
日本語
Tiếng Việt
Nederlands
Svenska
Dansk
Norsk
हिंदी
বাঙ্গালি
मराठी
ગુજરાતી
தமிழ்
తెలుగు
Українська
Contents
English
Verb
try (ATTEMPT)
try (TEST)
tried and tested/trusted
try (LAW)
try (WORRY)
Noun
try (ATTEMPT)
try (SPORT)
American
Verb
try (ATTEMPT)
try (TEST)
try (EXAMINE IN COURT)
Noun
try (ATTEMPT)
Business
Verb
Examples
Translations
Grammar
All translations
My word lists
Add try to one of your lists below, or create a new one.
More
Go to your word lists
Tell us about this example sentence:
The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word.
The sentence contains offensive content.
Cancel
Submit
The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word.
The sentence contains offensive content.
Cancel
Submit
Try Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
Try Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
Menu Toggle
Merriam-Webster Logo
Games & Quizzes
Games & Quizzes
Word of the Day
Grammar
Wordplay
Word Finder
Thesaurus
Join MWU
Shop
Books
Merch
Settings
My Words
Recents
Account
Log Out
More
Thesaurus
Join MWU
Shop
Books
Merch
Log In
Username
My Words
Recents
Account
Log Out
Est. 1828
Dictionary
Definition
verb
noun
verb
2
verb
noun
Synonyms
Synonym Chooser
Example Sentences
Word History
Phrases Containing
Related Articles
Entries Near
Cite this EntryCitation
Share
Kids DefinitionKids
Medical DefinitionMedical
Legal DefinitionLegal
More from M-W
Show more
Show more
Citation
Share
Kids
Medical
Legal
More from M-W
Save Word
To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Log In
try
1 of 2
verb
ˈtrī
tried; trying
Synonyms of try
intransitive verb
: to make an attempt
you can do it if you try
transitive verb
1
: to make an attempt at
—often used with an infinitivetry to fix the car
2
a
: to put to test or trial
try one's luck
—often used with outtry out a new method
b
: to subject to something (such as undue strain or excessive hardship or provocation) that tests the powers of endurance
c
: demonstrate, prove
3
a
: to examine or investigate judicially
try a case
b(1)
: to conduct the trial of
(2)
: to participate as counsel in the judicial examination of
4
a
: to melt down and procure in a pure state : render
try out whale oil from blubber
b
obsolete
: purify, refine
5
: to fit or finish with accuracy
try
2 of 2
noun
plural tries
1
: an experimental trial : attempt
succeeded on the first try
2
: a play in rugby that is similar to a touchdown in football, scores usually five points, and entitles the scoring side to attempt a placekick at the goal for additional points
also
: the score made on a try
Phrases
try one's hand
: to attempt something for the first time
Synonyms
Verb
strain
stretch
tax
test
Noun
assay [archaic]
attempt
bash [chiefly British]
bid
crack
endeavor
essay
fling
go
offer
pass
shot
stab
trial
whack
whirl
See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for try
afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear. afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.
ills that afflict the elderly
try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.
children often try their parents' patience
torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.
a horse tormented by flies
torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.
tortured by a sense of guilt
rack stresses straining or wrenching.
a body racked by pain
attempt, try, endeavor, essay, strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end. attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.
will attempt to photograph the rare bird
try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.
tried to determine which was the better procedure
endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.
endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains
essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.
will essay a dramatic role for the first time
strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.
continues to strive for peace
Examples of try in a Sentence
Verb
I don't know if I can do it, but I'll try.
Keep trying. You can do it.
You can do it if you try hard enough.
“He said he can beat you.” “I'd like to see him try!”
I tried, but I just couldn't do it.
“She's not in the office now.” “OK. I'll try again later.”
I don't know where she is. Try calling her on her cell phone.
He tried a few things to remove the stain, but nothing worked.
Did you try restarting the computer?
If you want to lose weight, try exercising more.
Noun
was granted another try at the field goal
See More
Recent Examples on the WebVerb
Join Meghan every other Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET, for a live chat to answer questions from parents trying to raise kids of any age.
—Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024
In the movie, a married couple (Sandler and Aniston) tries to reignite their monotonous relationship with a trip to Europe.
—Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024
In 2015, one company tried to sell ice cubes carved from the Svartisen glacier in northern Norway, but its plan faltered amid local opposition.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024
During closing arguments Thursday, Ewers’ attorney Harris Gilbert tried to convince jurors that Perez’s girlfriend never really got a good look at his client.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024
Was the universe trying to tell me something? Feb. 9, 2024
Toward the end of his program, my boyfriend broke down and started taking ADHD medication.
—Charles Jensen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024
The group tried to make the Amazon van look legitimate.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
But for a superior drinking experience try Redbreast, a single pot still Irish whiskey made at Midleton (the same distillery that produces Jameson).
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024
Instead of waking up and grabbing for your phone, try a walk outside, your favorite kind of exercise, or time spent reading.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
Looking for a gray like Gabrielle Union's to give it a try yourself?
—Marci Robin, Allure, 1 Mar. 2024
Give these strategies a try, and don't hesitate to reach out.
—Duncan Alney, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
The Sockers had two tries from the penalty spot but were unable to make the second one count.
—Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2024
For Intuitive Machines, the first try appears to have worked.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024
The video that’s garnered over 2 million views as of Feb. 20 has comments from users giving the trend a try.
—Paloma Chavez, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2024
Their first attempt fell through completely, and on their second try, the sellers pulled out of the deal because Legion was unable to show proof of his financial accounts.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2024
Finally, in January, the start of beaver breeding season, it was deemed time for another try.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024
When some parents suggested an adult version, Mr. Belz gave it a try with World.
—Michael S. Rosenwald, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'try.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English trien, from Anglo-French trier to select, sort, examine, determine, probably from Late Latin tritare to grind, frequentative of Latin terere to rub — more at throw entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3a Noun
1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of try was
in the 14th century
See more words from the same century
Phrases Containing try
college try
give it the old college try
have a try
I'd (just) like to see him try
nice try
try someone's patience
try one's hand
try/use every trick in the book
try for point
try (something) on for size
cut-and-try
try it on
try one's luck
try for
try as one might
try one's best/hardest
try-pot
try me
try out
try on
try square
try for a baby
try one's damnedest
See More
Articles Related to try
We're Going to Explain the Deal with...
Just try and stop us
Dictionary Entries Near try
trv
try
try as one might
See More Nearby Entries
Cite this Entry
Style
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
“Try.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/try. Accessed 12 Mar. 2024.
Copy Citation
Share
Post the Definition of try to Facebook
Share the Definition of try on Twitter
Kids Definition
try
1 of 2
verb
ˈtrī
tried; trying
1
: to make an effort to do
I'll try to do my best
2
a
: to examine or investigate in a court of law
try a case
b
: to conduct the trial of
3
a
: to put to a test
try out something new try your luck
b
: to test to the limit
you're trying my patience
4
: to melt down (as tallow) and obtain in a pure state : render
try out whale oil from blubber
try
2 of 2
noun
plural tries
: an effort to do something : attempt
Medical Definition
Try
abbreviation
tryptophan
Legal Definition
try
transitive verb
tried; trying
1
: to examine or investigate judicially
no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law—U.S. Constitution amend. VII in an action tried on the facts without a jury—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 52(a)
2
: to conduct the trial of : put on trial
3
: to participate as lawyer or counsel in the trial of : bring to trial on behalf of a client
was unqualified to try death penalty cases
Etymology
Transitive verb
Anglo-French trier to choose, sort, ascertain, examine judicially, from Old French, to choose, sort
More from Merriam-Webster on try
Nglish: Translation of try for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of try for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about try
Last Updated:
4 Mar 2024
- Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play
Play
Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play
Play
Word of the Day
ulterior
See Definitions and Examples »
Get Word of the Day daily email!
Popular in Grammar & Usage
See All
8 Grammar Terms You Used to Know, But Forgot
Homophones, Homographs, and Homonyms
Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
More Commonly Mispronounced Words
See All
Popular in Wordplay
See All
'Arsy-Varsy,' and Other Snappy Reduplicatives
The Words of the Week - Mar. 8
10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
12 More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
8 Uncommon Words Related to Love
See All
Games & Quizzes
See All
Quordle
Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play
Blossom Word Game
You can make only 12 words. Pick the best ones!
Play
Missing Letter
A crossword with a twist
Play
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Merriam Webster
Learn a new word every day. Delivered to your inbox!
Help
About Us
Advertising Info
Contact Us
Diversity
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
YouTube
© 2024 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
try verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com
try verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com
Toggle navigation
Redeem
Upgrade
Help
Sign in
Dictionaries
Dictionaries home
English
American English
Academic
Collocations
German-English
Grammar
Grammar home
Practical English Usage
Learn & Practise Grammar (Beta)
Word Lists
Word Lists home
My Word Lists
Topics
Recent additions
Resources
Resources home
Text Checker
Sign in
Dictionaries
Dictionaries home
English
American English
Academic
Collocations
German-English
Grammar
Grammar home
Practical English Usage
Learn & Practise Grammar (Beta)
Word Lists
Word Lists home
My Word Lists
Topics
Recent additions
Resources
Resources home
Text Checker
Redeem
Upgrade
Help
TOP
English
English
American English
Academic English
Collocations
Practical English Usage
German-English
English-German
English
American English
Enter search text
Definition of try verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
try verb OPAL S /traɪ/ /traɪ/Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they try /traɪ/ /traɪ/ he / she / it tries /traɪz/ /traɪz/ past simple tried /traɪd/ /traɪd/ past participle tried /traɪd/ /traɪd/ -ing form trying /ˈtraɪɪŋ/ /ˈtraɪɪŋ/Idioms Phrasal Verbs
jump to other results
[intransitive, transitive] to make an attempt or effort to do or get somethingI don't know if I can come but I'll try. try to do something What are you trying to do?I tried hard not to laugh.You haven’t even tried to find it.Don’t try to do it too quickly.I kept trying to remember where I had seen him before.I was just trying to help!She was desperately trying to stay afloat. try your best/hardest (to do something) She tried her best to solve the problem.Just try your hardest. try doing something I tried calling him but there was no answer.Just try getting a plumber at the weekend!He tried and tried but he could not climb out.Please try again later. In spoken English try and can be used with another verb, instead of try to and the infinitive: I'll try and get you a new one tomorrow. • Try and finish quickly. In this structure, only the form try can be used, not tries, trying or tried.More Like This Verbs usually followed by infinitivesVerbs usually followed by infinitivesaffordagreeappeararrangeattemptbegchooseconsentdecideexpectfailhappenhesitatehopeintendlearnmanagemeanneglectofferpreparepretendpromiserefusesweartrywantwishExtra ExamplesCan't you do it? Let me try.I clumsily tried to make amends.I wondered if he was purposely trying to avoid me.She tried valiantly to smile through her tears.I've given up trying to persuade her.a treason charge for allegedly trying to overthrow the government by forceI hope you're not going to try and deny it.Can you guys at least try and be nice to her?Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverbdesperatelyfranticallyfuriously…verb + trydecide todare (somebody) tobother to…phrasesbe just trying to do somethingbe only trying to do somethinggive up trying…See full entry
Take your English to the next level
The Oxford Learner’s Thesaurus explains the difference between groups of similar words. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app
[transitive] to use, do or test something in order to see if it is good, suitable, etc. try something Have you tried this new coffee? It's very good.‘Would you like to try some raw fish?’ ‘Why not? I'll try anything once!’I'd like to try something new.I'm having a caffeine-free week. You should try it. Have you ever tried windsurfing?Try these shoes for size—they should fit you.She tried the door, but it was locked. try something on somebody/something The treatment has not yet been tried on patients. try doing something John isn't here. Try phoning his mobile. There is sometimes a difference between try to do something and try doing something: You should try to eat more fruit. means ‘You should make an effort to eat more fruit.’; You should try eating more fruit. means ‘You should see if eating more fruit will help you’ (to feel better, for example). However, in some cases there is no real difference in meaning: I tried to call a plumber. can mean the same as I tried calling a plumber. : both mean ‘I tried and failed to call a plumber.’Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverbdesperatelyfranticallyfuriously…verb + trydecide todare (somebody) tobother to…phrasesbe just trying to do somethingbe only trying to do somethinggive up trying…See full entry
[transitive] [often passive] to examine evidence in court and decide whether somebody is innocent or guilty try somebody (for something) He was tried for murder. try something The case was tried before a jury.Topics Law and justiceb2 Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French trier ‘sift’, of unknown origin. Sense 1 of the noun dates from the early 17th cent.Idioms do/try your damnedest (to do something) (informal) to try as hard as you can (to do something)She did her damnedest to get it done on time. do/try your level best (to do something) to do as much as you can to try to achieve somethingTopics Successc2 not for want/lack of trying used to say that although somebody has not succeeded in something, they have tried very hardThey haven't won a game yet, but it isn't for want of trying.They lost the game, but not for lack of trying.Topics Difficulty and failurec2 these things are sent to try us (saying) used to say that you should accept an unpleasant situation or event because you cannot change it
tried and tested/trusted (British English) (North American English tried and true)that you have used or relied on in the past successfullya tried and tested method for solving the problemMore Like This Alliteration in idiomsAlliteration in idiomsbelt and bracesblack and blueborn and bredchalk and cheesechop and changedone and dusteddown and dirtyin dribs and drabseat somebody out of house and homefacts and figuresfast and furiousfirst and foremostforgive and forgethale and heartyhem and hawkith and kinmix and matchpart and parcelpuff and pantto rack and ruinrant and raverisk life and limbshort and sweetsigned and sealedspick and spanthrough thick and thinthis and thattop and tailtried and testedwax and wane try/do your damnedest (to do something) (informal) to try as hard as you can (to do something)She tried her damnedest to get it done on time. try your hand (at something) to do something such as an activity or a sport for the first time try it on (with somebody) (British English, informal, disapproving)to behave badly towards somebody or try to get something from them, even though you know this will make them angryChildren often try it on with new teachers. to try to start a sexual relationship with somebody
try your luck (at something) to do something that involves risk or luck, hoping to succeedMy grandparents emigrated to Canada to try their luck there.Topics Successc2 try somebody’s patience to make somebody feel impatientHis stubbornness would try the patience of a saint. Phrasal Verbstry fortry ontry outtry out forSee try in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee try in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic EnglishCheck pronunciation:
try
Other results
All matches
try noun
try
try on
try for
try line noun
try out
try-and-buy adjective
try out for
try for something
try something on
try out for something
try somebody/something out (on somebody)
try somebody’s patience
try your hand (at something)
try your luck (at something)
these things are sent to try us
do/try your damnedest (to do something)
do/try your darnedest (to do something)
do/try your level best (to do something)
See more
Phrasal verbs
try for something
try something on
try out for something
try somebody/something out (on somebody)
Idioms
try somebody’s patience
try your hand (at something)
try your luck (at something)
these things are sent to try us
do/try your damnedest (to do something)
do/try your darnedest (to do something)
do/try your level best (to do something)
See more
Nearby words
truthfully adverb
truthfulness noun
try verb
try noun
try-and-buy adjective
boost
verb
From the Topic
Change, cause and effect
B2
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries
Browse Dictionaries & Grammar
Search Box
System Requirements
Contact Us
More from us
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries API
English Language Teaching
Oxford Teacher's Club
Oxford Learner's Bookshelf
Oxford Languages
Who we are
About Us
Our history
Annual report
The way we work
Working for OUP
Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Consent Management
Terms & Conditions
Accessibility
Legal Notice
English (UK)
English (US)
© 2024 Oxford University Press
TRY | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
TRY | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
Dictionary
Translate
Grammar
Thesaurus
+Plus
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Shop
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Log in
/
Sign up
English (US)
Search
Search
English
Meaning of try in English
tryverb us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/traɪ/ uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/traɪ/
try verb
(ATTEMPT)
Add to word list
Add to word list
A2 [ I or T ] to attempt to do something: Keep trying and you'll find a job eventually. If I don't get into the academy this year, I'll try again next year. I've tried really hard but I can't convince him to come. I'm trying my best/hardest, but I just can't do it. [ + to infinitive ] I tried to open the window. [ + -ing verb ] Maybe you should try getting up (= you should get up) earlier.
Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples
to try to do somethingtryI'll try to call her again.attemptI have never attempted to run a marathon.endeavorUS Engineers are endeavoring to locate the source of the problem.seekThey sought to reassure the public.battleHe was battling to fix the roof in the rain.striveWith limited resources, they are striving to make the school a better one.
See more results »
More examplesFewer examplesShe can be really irritating but I try to ignore her.We must try to spend less money.I never seem to lose any weight, no matter how hard I try.She lay back in the dentist's chair and tried to relax.The driver was peering into the distance trying to read the road sign.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Trying and making an effort
A game
all out
assault
attempt
attempted
commitment
give something your best shot idiom
go after someone
go all out idiom
go down swinging/fighting idiom
go for someone
nose
shoot for the moon idiom
shoot the works idiom
smarten (someone/something) up
smarten up your act idiom
spare
square the circle idiom
stretch
struggle
See more results »
try verb
(TEST)
B1 [ T ] to test something to see if it is suitable or useful or if it works: I tried that recipe you gave me last night. We don't sell newspapers - have you tried the coffee shop on the corner? [ + -ing verb ] Try using a different shampoo. I'd like to try parachuting. I forgot my door-keys - we'd better try the window (= test it to see if it is open).
tried and true (UK tried and tested/trusted)
used by many people and proved to be effective: Most people would prefer to stick to tried and true methods of birth control.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Testing, checking and experimenting
artifact
assay
background check
blood draw
calibrate
experimental
experimentally
experimentation
experimenter
factorial
inoculate
put someone/something through their/its paces idiom
put something to the test idiom
recheck
reinspect
reinspection
uncheckable
untestable
untested
welfare check
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Efficient and effective
try verb
(LAW)
C2 [ T ] to examine a person accused of committing a crime in a law court by asking them questions and considering known facts, and then decide if they are guilty: Because of security implications the officers were tried in secret. They are being tried for murder. See also
trial noun (LEGAL PROCESS)
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Taking legal action
abatement order
ambulance-chasing
appear for someone
bring
bring an action
complainant
enter
indict
indictment
lawyer
lawyer up
legal action
litigant
litigate
petitioner
prosecute
prosecution
prosecutorial
reindict
reindictment
See more results »
try verb
(WORRY)
[ T ] to worry or annoy someone or upset a person's patience with many, often slight, difficulties: The demands of the job have tried him sorely. He's been trying my patience all morning with his constant questions. Her endless demands would try the patience of a saint (= are very annoying).
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Causing feelings of anger and displeasure
aggravate
aggrieve
alienate
anger
annoy
bend
give someone the shits idiom
go too far idiom
goat
grate
hack someone off
nark
needle
rile
rub
rub someone the wrong way idiom
ruffle
ruffle someone's feathers idiom
tooth
troll
See more results »
Idioms
try your hand at something
try your luck
try it on
try something on for sizePhrasal verbs
try for something
try something on
try something out
try something out on someone
try out for something
trynoun us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/traɪ/ uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/traɪ/
try noun
(ATTEMPT)
B2 [ C usually singular ] an attempt to do something: They might still have tickets left - why don't you give it a try? This will be her third try at jumping the bar. You could ask him if he's willing - it's worth a try.
More examplesFewer examplesI can't get the cork out of the bottle - could you have a try?I've never done it before but I'd like to have a try .After several tries to pronounce my name properly, he asked if he could just call me Sam instead!Hey - that was a really good try! You'll soon be able to play the whole tune.Your little brother wants a try - pass him the ball, Katie.
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Trying and making an effort
A game
all out
assault
attempt
attempted
commitment
give something your best shot idiom
go after someone
go all out idiom
go down swinging/fighting idiom
go for someone
nose
shoot for the moon idiom
shoot the works idiom
smarten (someone/something) up
smarten up your act idiom
spare
square the circle idiom
stretch
struggle
See more results »
try noun
(SPORTS)
[ C ] (in the game of rugby) the act of a player putting the ball on the ground behind the opposing team's goal line, which scores points for the player's team
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases
Rugby
22 meter drop-out
advantage rule
All Blacks
ankle tap
attacking half
breakdown
fifteen
home nations
hospital pass
knock
knock (something) on
match fit
prop
scrum half
scrummager
shirt pad
shoulder charge
squad rotation
steal
test match
See more results »
(Definition of try from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)
try | Intermediate English
tryverb us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/trɑɪ/
try verb
(ATTEMPT)
Add to word list
Add to word list
[ I/T ] to make an effort to do something: [ I ] Try to open this jar for me. [ I ] You’ll have to try harder. [ T ] I’m trying my best. [ I ] Maybe you should try getting up earlier (= should wake earlier).
try verb
(TEST)
[ T ] to test something to see if it is suitable or useful, or if it will work: Have you tried that new recipe yet? I want to try scuba diving. Try the back door (= see if it is open).
try verb
(EXAMINE IN COURT)
[ T ] law to examine a person accused of committing a crime in a court of law to decide if the person is guilty: He was tried for fraud.
Idioms
try your hand at something
try someone’s patiencePhrasal verbs
try something out on someone
try on something
try out
try out something
trynoun [ C ] us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/trɑɪ/
try noun [C]
(ATTEMPT)
an effort to do something; an attempt: This will be her third try at an Olympic medal. I decided to give skiing a try.
(Definition of try from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
try | Business English
tryverb [ T ]
LAW uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/traɪ/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
Add to word list
Add to word list
to bring someone who is accused of a crime to a court of law to decide if they are guilty: be tried for sth The brothers were tried for financial crimes involving fraudulent use of depositors' money. Their case is being tried next week.
(Definition of try from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
Examples of try
try
No one tried to see it from his point of view.
From Business Insider
So with that in mind, people are working hard at trying to understand the causes.
From NPR
Check them out here, and try them for yourself.
From ABC News
I tried, but no one would book me.
From International Business Times
I try to work with them where they are and help them to make better choices based on what they're doing now.
From MLive.com
Next week, he may try to do both.
From TIME
The company tries to appeal to customers of all ages, he said.
From Huffington Post
Volunteer groups are trying to make that number grow.
From NPR
Part of what people are doing is they're helping, they're trying to help.
From NPR
We're just feeling our way out and trying new things out, and we work fast and hard.
From Hollywood Reporter
Try caring about the well-being of others, even if you don't know them.
From Huffington Post
When a play needs to be made, we try to be the ones who make the plays.
From New York Post
They had a feel for every aspect of what we were trying to do.
From Billboard
It's a time to try new things, have new experiences and discover who you are and what you value.
From Huffington Post
I had tried to help when much of the world has looked on and done nothing.
From Dallas Morning News
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
What is the pronunciation of try?
A2,B1,C2,B2
Translations of try
in Chinese (Traditional)
試圖, 試圖,想要, 設法,努力…
See more
in Chinese (Simplified)
试图, 试图,想要, 设法,努力…
See more
in Spanish
intentar, probar, intento…
See more
in Portuguese
tentar, provar, experimentar…
See more
in more languages
in Marathi
in Japanese
in Turkish
in French
in Catalan
in Dutch
in Tamil
in Hindi
in Gujarati
in Danish
in Swedish
in Malay
in German
in Norwegian
in Urdu
in Ukrainian
in Russian
in Telugu
in Arabic
in Bengali
in Czech
in Indonesian
in Thai
in Vietnamese
in Polish
in Korean
in Italian
प्रयत्न करणे, करून पाहणे, खटला चालवणे…
See more
~しようとする, 試しに~してみる, ~を試す…
See more
çalışmak, kalkışmak, girişmek…
See more
essayer, tester, juger…
See more
intentar, provar, tastar…
See more
proberen, uitproberen, terechtstaan…
See more
ஏதாவது செய்ய முயற்சிக்க, இது பொருத்தமானதா அல்லது பயனுள்ளதா அல்லது அது செயல்படுகிறதா என்பதைப் பார்க்க எதையாவது சோதிக்க, ஒரு சட்ட நீதிமன்றத்தில் குற்றம் செய்ததாக குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்ட ஒரு நபரை கேள்விகளைக் கேட்பதன் மூலமும்…
See more
प्रयत्न करना, कोशिश करना, (उपयुक्तता या उपयोगिता जांचने के किये कुछ) प्रयास करना…
See more
પ્રયાસ કરવો, કોશિષ કરવી, અજમાવવું…
See more
prøve, forsøge, stille for retten…
See more
försöka, pröva (prova) [med att], smaka…
See more
mencuba, membicarakan, menguji…
See more
versuchen, probieren, vor Gericht stellen…
See more
prøve, forsøke, teste…
See more
کوشش کرنا, مقدمہ چلانا, چھان بین کرنا…
See more
старатися, намагатися, спробувати…
See more
пытаться, стараться, пробовать…
See more
ప్రయత్నం, ప్రయత్నించు, విచారించు / న్యాయస్థానంలో నేరం చేసినట్లు ఆరోపణలు ఎదుర్కొంటున్న వ్యక్తిని ప్రశ్నలు అడగడం ద్వారా…
See more
يُحاوِل, يُجَرِّب, مُحاوَلة…
See more
চেষ্টা করা, পরীক্ষা করে দেখা, ব্যবহারযোগ্য কিনা সেটা যাচাই করে দেখা…
See more
pokusit se, zkusit, soudit…
See more
berusaha, mencoba, mengadili…
See more
พยายาม, ทดสอบ, สอบสวนในศาล…
See more
cố gắng, thử, xét xử…
See more
próbować, sądzić, osądzać…
See more
노력하다, 시도하다, 노력…
See more
provare, cercare, tentare…
See more
Need a translator?
Get a quick, free translation!
Translator tool
Browse
truther
truthful
truthfully
truthfulness
try
try for something
try it on idiom
try out for something
try someone’s patience idiom
More meanings of try
All
try-out
try, at go
try on something
try something out on someone
try out
try out something
try your hand at something idiom
See all meanings
Phrasal Verbs
try on something
try something out on someone
try out
try out something
try something on
try for something
try something out
See all phrasal verb meanings
Idioms and phrases
try your hand at something idiom
try someone’s patience idiom
do/try your (very) best phrase
try it on idiom
do/try your utmost idiom
try your luck idiom
try something for size idiom
See all idioms and phrases
Word of the Day
response
UK
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/rɪˈspɒns/
US
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/rɪˈspɑːns/
an answer or reaction
About this
Blog
Forget doing it or forget to do it? Avoiding common mistakes with verb patterns (2)
March 06, 2024
Read More
New Words
inverse vaccine
March 11, 2024
More new words
has been added to list
To top
Contents
EnglishIntermediateBusinessExamplesTranslations
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024
Learn
Learn
Learn
New Words
Help
In Print
Word of the Year 2021
Word of the Year 2022
Word of the Year 2023
Develop
Develop
Develop
Dictionary API
Double-Click Lookup
Search Widgets
License Data
About
About
About
Accessibility
Cambridge English
Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Consent Management
Cookies and Privacy
Corpus
Terms of Use
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Dictionary
Definitions
Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English
English
Learner’s Dictionary
Essential British English
Essential American English
Translations
Click on the arrows to change the translation direction.
Bilingual Dictionaries
English–Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Simplified)–English
English–Chinese (Traditional)
Chinese (Traditional)–English
English–Dutch
Dutch–English
English–French
French–English
English–German
German–English
English–Indonesian
Indonesian–English
English–Italian
Italian–English
English–Japanese
Japanese–English
English–Norwegian
Norwegian–English
English–Polish
Polish–English
English–Portuguese
Portuguese–English
English–Spanish
Spanish–English
English–Swedish
Swedish–English
Semi-bilingual Dictionaries
English–Arabic
English–Bengali
English–Catalan
English–Czech
English–Danish
English–Gujarati
English–Hindi
English–Korean
English–Malay
English–Marathi
English–Russian
English–Tamil
English–Telugu
English–Thai
English–Turkish
English–Ukrainian
English–Urdu
English–Vietnamese
Translate
Grammar
Thesaurus
Pronunciation
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Shop
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Log in /
Sign up
English (US)
Change
English (UK)
English (US)
Español
Русский
Português
Deutsch
Français
Italiano
中文 (简体)
正體中文 (繁體)
Polski
한국어
Türkçe
日本語
Tiếng Việt
Nederlands
Svenska
Dansk
Norsk
हिंदी
বাঙ্গালি
मराठी
ગુજરાતી
தமிழ்
తెలుగు
Українська
Follow us
Choose a dictionary
Recent and Recommended
Definitions
Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English
English
Learner’s Dictionary
Essential British English
Essential American English
Grammar and thesaurus
Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English
Grammar
Thesaurus
Pronunciation
British and American pronunciations with audio
English Pronunciation
Translation
Click on the arrows to change the translation direction.
Bilingual Dictionaries
English–Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Simplified)–English
English–Chinese (Traditional)
Chinese (Traditional)–English
English–Dutch
Dutch–English
English–French
French–English
English–German
German–English
English–Indonesian
Indonesian–English
English–Italian
Italian–English
English–Japanese
Japanese–English
English–Norwegian
Norwegian–English
English–Polish
Polish–English
English–Portuguese
Portuguese–English
English–Spanish
Spanish–English
English–Swedish
Swedish–English
Semi-bilingual Dictionaries
English–Arabic
English–Bengali
English–Catalan
English–Czech
English–Danish
English–Gujarati
English–Hindi
English–Korean
English–Malay
English–Marathi
English–Russian
English–Tamil
English–Telugu
English–Thai
English–Turkish
English–Ukrainian
English–Urdu
English–Vietnamese
Dictionary +Plus
Word Lists
Choose your language
English (US)
English (UK)
Español
Русский
Português
Deutsch
Français
Italiano
中文 (简体)
正體中文 (繁體)
Polski
한국어
Türkçe
日本語
Tiếng Việt
Nederlands
Svenska
Dansk
Norsk
हिंदी
বাঙ্গালি
मराठी
ગુજરાતી
தமிழ்
తెలుగు
Українська
Contents
English
Verb
try (ATTEMPT)
try (TEST)
tried and true
try (LAW)
try (WORRY)
Noun
try (ATTEMPT)
try (SPORTS)
Intermediate
Verb
try (ATTEMPT)
try (TEST)
try (EXAMINE IN COURT)
Noun
try (ATTEMPT)
Business
Verb
Examples
Translations
Grammar
All translations
My word lists
Add try to one of your lists below, or create a new one.
More
Go to your word lists
Tell us about this example sentence:
The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word.
The sentence contains offensive content.
Cancel
Submit
The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word.
The sentence contains offensive content.
Cancel
Submit
TRY Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus
TRY Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus
Menu Toggle
Merriam-Webster Logo
Games & Quizzes
Games & Quizzes
Word of the Day
Grammar
Wordplay
Word Finder
Thesaurus
Join MWU
Shop
Books
Merch
Settings
My Words
Recents
Account
Log Out
More
Thesaurus
Join MWU
Shop
Books
Merch
Log In
Username
My Words
Recents
Account
Log Out
Est. 1828
Thesaurus
Synonyms of try
verb
as in to stretch
as in to attempt
noun
as in attempt
as in to stretchas in to attemptas in attempt
Synonym Chooser
Phrases Containing
Related Articles
Entries Near
Cite this EntryCitation
Share
More from M-W
Show more
Show more
Citation
Share
More from M-W
Save Word
To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Log In
try
1 of 2
verb
Definition of try
1
as in to stretch
to subject (a personal quality or faculty) to often excessive stress
you're trying my patience
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
stretch
push
test
get (to)
strain
bother
annoy
tax
irritate
harass
pressure
demand
importune
exact
pester
aggravate
pain
spite
rile
irk
exasperate
press
gnaw (at)
agitate
vex
grate
harry
gall
hassle
peeve
nettle
2
as in to attempt
to make an effort to do
try to unlock the door will try to call later tonight
Synonyms & Similar Words
attempt
strive
seek
endeavor
hope
shoot for
essay
shoot at
work
struggle
aim
assay
fight
have a go at
try one's hand (at)
undertake
trouble
aspire
toil
assume
take up
strain
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
quit
drop
give up
try
2 of 2
noun
as in attempt
an effort to do or accomplish something
was granted another try at the field goal
Synonyms & Similar Words
attempt
go
stab
offer
endeavor
bid
shot
pass
trial
essay
crack
assay
struggle
bash
whack
whirl
fling
striving
undertaking
throes
trial and error
Synonym Chooser
How does the verb try differ from other similar words?
Some common synonyms of try are attempt, endeavor, essay, and strive. While all these words mean "to make an effort to accomplish an end," try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.
tried to determine which was the better procedure
When can attempt be used instead of try?
In some situations, the words attempt and try are roughly equivalent. However, attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.
will attempt to photograph the rare bird
Where would endeavor be a reasonable alternative to try?
The synonyms endeavor and try are sometimes interchangeable, but endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.
endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains
When is essay a more appropriate choice than try?
The words essay and try can be used in similar contexts, but essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.
will essay a dramatic role for the first time
When is it sensible to use strive instead of try?
While the synonyms strive and try are close in meaning, strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.
continues to strive for peace
Phrases Containing try
try (out)
try one's hand (at)
Articles Related to try
We're Going to Explain the Deal with...
Just try and stop us
Thesaurus Entries Near try
truthfulness
try
trying
See More Nearby Entries
Cite this Entry
Style
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
“Try.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/try. Accessed 12 Mar. 2024.
Copy Citation
Share
Post more words for try to Facebook
Share more words for try on Twitter
More from Merriam-Webster on try
Nglish: Translation of try for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of try for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about try
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play
Play
Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play
Play
Word of the Day
ulterior
See Definitions and Examples »
Get Word of the Day daily email!
Popular in Grammar & Usage
See All
8 Grammar Terms You Used to Know, But Forgot
Homophones, Homographs, and Homonyms
Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
More Commonly Mispronounced Words
See All
Popular in Wordplay
See All
'Arsy-Varsy,' and Other Snappy Reduplicatives
The Words of the Week - Mar. 8
10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
12 More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
8 Uncommon Words Related to Love
See All
Games & Quizzes
See All
Quordle
Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play
Blossom Word Game
You can make only 12 words. Pick the best ones!
Play
Missing Letter
A crossword with a twist
Play
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Merriam Webster
Learn a new word every day. Delivered to your inbox!
Help
About Us
Advertising Info
Contact Us
Diversity
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
YouTube
© 2024 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
TRY Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com
TRY Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com
GamesDaily CrosswordWord PuzzleWord FinderAll gamesFeaturedWord of the DaySynonym of the DayWord of the YearNew wordsLanguage storiesAll featuredPop cultureSlangEmojiMemesAcronymsGender and sexualityAll pop cultureWriting tipsGrammar Coach™Writing hubGrammar essentialsCommonly confusedAll writing tipsGamesFeaturedPop cultureWriting tipstry[ trahy ]show ipaSee synonyms for: trytriedtriestrying on Thesaurus.comverb (used with object),tried, try·ing.to attempt to do or accomplish: Try it before you say it's simple.to test the effect or result of (often followed by out): to try a new method; to try a recipe out.to endeavor to evaluate by experiment or experience: to try a new field; to try a new book.to test the quality, value, fitness, accuracy, etc., of: Will you try a spoonful of this and tell me what you think of it?Law. to examine and determine judicially, as a cause; determine judicially the guilt or innocence of (a person).to put to a severe test; subject to strain, as of endurance, patience, affliction, or trouble; tax: to try one's patience.to attempt to open (a door, window, etc.) in order to find out whether it is locked: Try all the doors before leaving.to melt down (fat, blubber, etc.) to obtain the oil; render (usually followed by out).Archaic. to determine the truth or right of (a quarrel or question) by test or battle (sometimes followed by out).to find to be right by test or experience.See moreverb (used without object),tried, try·ing.to make an attempt or effort; strive: Try to complete the examination.Nautical. to lie to in heavy weather under just sufficient sail to head into the wind.noun,plural tries.an attempt or effort: to have a try at something.Rugby. a score of three points earned by advancing the ball to or beyond the opponents' goal line.Verb Phrasestry on, to put on an article of clothing in order to judge its appearance and fit: You can't really tell how it will look until you try it on.try out, to use experimentally; test: to try out a new car.try out for, to compete for (a position, membership, etc.): Over a hundred boys came to try out for the football team.See moreSee More DefinitionsIdioms about trygive it the old college try, Informal. to make a sincere effort: I gave it the old college try and finally found an apartment.try it / that on, Chiefly British Informal. to put on airs: She's been trying it on ever since the inheritance came through.to be forward or presumptuous, especially with a potential romantic partner: She avoided him after he'd tried it on with her.Origin of try1First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English trien “to try (a legal case),” from Anglo-French trier, Old French “to sift, cull”; of uncertain originsynonym study For try1, 10. Try, attempt, endeavor, strive all mean to put forth an effort toward a specific end. Try is the most often used and most general term: to try to decipher a message; to try hard to succeed. Attempt, often interchangeable with try, sometimes suggests the possibility of failure and is often used in reference to more serious or important matters: to attempt to formulate a new theory of motion. Endeavor emphasizes serious and continued exertion of effort, sometimes aimed at dutiful or socially appropriate behavior: to endeavor to fulfill one's obligations. Strive, stresses persistent, vigorous, even strenuous effort, often in the face of obstacles: to strive to overcome a handicap.usage note For try10. Try followed by and instead of to has been in standard use since the 17th century: The Justice Department has decided to try and regulate jury-selection practices. The construction occurs only with the base form try, not with tries or tried or trying. Although some believe that try and is less formal than try to, both patterns occur in all types of speech and writing.Other words from trypre·try, verb (used with object), pre·tried, pre·try·ing.re·try, verb, re·tried, re·try·ing.Words Nearby tryTruth, Sojournertruth tabletruth-valuetruth-value gapTruth will outtrytryhardtryingtrying planetryketry lineDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024How to use try in a sentenceIt was a nice try on Victory’s part, but touring riders tend to be a conservative bunch, many of whom still haven’t quite accepted the Vision’s aesthetic.22 of the weirdest concept motorcycles ever made | By John Burns/Cycle World | September 10, 2020 | Popular-ScienceBelow are a few tries from the right wing that highlight how broken the Rockets look when Harden wants to isolate against a defense that only feels like guarding three of his teammates.The Rockets’ New Starting Lineup Is Just Scratching The Surface Of Its Potential | Michael Pina | September 8, 2020 | FiveThirtyEightIf you're into that sort of thing, this might be a good chance to give the relatively new game a try at less than full price.Pick up The Last of Us Part II for $10 off—or take $30 off a used copy | Ars Staff | September 3, 2020 | Ars TechnicaAfter a few tries, aided by the skills she’d picked up in the occasional coding class in college, she got the script to spit out a deepfake video.Memers are making deepfakes, and things are getting weird | Karen Hao | August 28, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewSo are uncontested corner 3-point tries, which have become more plentiful as teams scramble to stop penetrators at the last second.The Suns And Mavs Shouldn’t Have Surprised Us … But We Didn’t See T.J. Warren Coming | Chris Herring (chris.herring@fivethirtyeight.com) | August 5, 2020 | FiveThirtyEightWhatever the FBI says, the truthers will create alternative hypotheses that try to challenge the ‘official story.’Was Sony Hit With a Second Hack? | Shane Harris | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTWe try to avoid going away for too long, so we can check back in.Belle & Sebastian Aren’t So Shy Anymore | James Joiner | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThey were just way too aggressive to try and maintain on a farm here,” says Gow of his “Nazi cows.‘Nazi Cows’ Tried to Kill British Farmer | Tom Sykes | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST“You try to always scratch where the itch is,” Huckabee said about his campaigning and rhetoric in the 2008 primary.Why This Liberal Hearts Huckabee | Sally Kohn | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTTheir first attempt to unseat the House speaker failed miserably, so why not try again?The YOLO Caucus' New Cry for Attention | Ben Jacobs | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTHe shall pass into strange countries: for he shall try good and evil among men.The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousGiven one more Division we might try: as things are, my troops won't cover the mileage.Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonThese hills, if we have to mount them, shall sorely try the thews of horse and man.Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846 | VariousNever grasp a Fern plant from above and try to pull it away, as this will be almost sure to result in damage.How to Know the Ferns | S. Leonard BastinBut they soon fell out, for Murat had the audacity to try and make these patriots fight instead of merely seeking plunder.Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonSee More ExamplesBritish Dictionary definitions for trytry/ (traɪ) /verbtries, trying or tried(when tr, may take an infinitive, sometimes with to replaced by and) to make an effort or attempt: he tried to climb a cliff(tr often foll by out) to sample, test, or give experimental use to (something) in order to determine its quality, worth, etc: try her cheese flan(tr) to put strain or stress on: he tries my patience(tr; often passive) to give pain, affliction, or vexation to: I have been sorely tried by those childrento examine and determine the issues involved in (a cause) in a court of lawto hear evidence in order to determine the guilt or innocence of (an accused)to sit as judge at the trial of (an issue or person)(tr) to melt (fat, lard, etc) in order to separate out impurities(tr usually foll by out) obsolete to extract (a material) from an ore, mixture, etc, usually by heat; refineSee morenounplural triesan experiment or trialan attempt or effortrugby the act of an attacking player touching the ball down behind the opposing team's goal line, scoring five or, in Rugby League, four pointsAlso called: try for a point American football an attempt made after a touchdown to score an extra point by kicking a goal or, for two extra points, by running the ball or completing a pass across the opponents' goal lineSee moreOrigin of try1C13: from Old French trier to sort, sift, of uncertain originusage For tryThe use of and instead of to after try is very common, but should be avoided in formal writing: we must try to prevent (not try and prevent) this happeningSee also try on, try outCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012Other Idioms and Phrases with trytryIn addition to the idioms beginning with trytry ontry one's handtry one's patiencetry outalso see: old college tryAlso see undertried.See More OriginsThe American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.Browse#aabbccddeeffgghhiijjkkllmmnnooppqqrrssttuuvvwwxxyyzzAboutCareersShopContact usAdvertise with usCookies, terms, & privacyDo not sell my infoFollow usGet the Word of the Day every day!Sign upBy clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.My account© 2024 Dictionary.com, LLC
Just a moment...
a moment...Enable JavaScript and cookies to contiJust a moment...
a moment...Enable JavaScript and cookies to continueTRY | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary
TRY | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary
Dictionary
Translate
Grammar
Thesaurus
+Plus
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Shop
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Log in
/
Sign up
English (US)
Search
Search
Learner’s Dictionary
Definition of try – Learner’s Dictionary
tryverb uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/traɪ/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
try verb
(ATTEMPT)
Add to word list
Add to word list
A2 to attempt to do something: [ + to do sth ] I tried to open the window but couldn't. Try not to drop anything this time.
More examplesFewer examplesI never manage to lose any weight, no matter how hard I try.You should try to develop interests beyond the family.I tried to phone her last night, but she was out.We tried to dissuade him from leaving.Let's try to forget about work and have a good time.
try verb
(TEST)
B1 to do, test, taste, etc something to discover if it works or if you like it: I tried that recipe you gave me last night. He tried the door, but the handle was broken. [ + doing sth ] Why don't you try using a different shampoo?
try verb
(LAW)
to examine facts in a court of law to decide if someone is guilty of a crime: [ often passive ] He was tried for attempted murder.
Phrasal verbs
try sth on
try sth out
trynoun uk
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/traɪ/ us
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
try noun
(ATTEMPT)
B2 an attempt to do something: She suggested I should have a try.
More examplesFewer examplesLet Mark have a try.You should have a try at this.Never mind. You had a good try.How many tries did he have before he gave in?You have a try. See if you can do it.
give sth a try
to do something in order to find out if it works or if you like it
try noun
(SPORT)
a way of scoring points in rugby (= game played with an oval ball) by putting the ball on the ground behind the other team's goal line
(Definition of try from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
Translations of try
in Chinese (Traditional)
試圖, 試圖,想要, 設法,努力…
See more
in Chinese (Simplified)
试图, 试图,想要, 设法,努力…
See more
in Spanish
intentar, probar, intento…
See more
in Portuguese
tentar, provar, experimentar…
See more
in more languages
in Marathi
in Japanese
in Turkish
in French
in Catalan
in Dutch
in Tamil
in Hindi
in Gujarati
in Danish
in Swedish
in Malay
in German
in Norwegian
in Urdu
in Ukrainian
in Russian
in Telugu
in Arabic
in Bengali
in Czech
in Indonesian
in Thai
in Vietnamese
in Polish
in Korean
in Italian
प्रयत्न करणे, करून पाहणे, खटला चालवणे…
See more
~しようとする, 試しに~してみる, ~を試す…
See more
çalışmak, kalkışmak, girişmek…
See more
essayer, tester, juger…
See more
intentar, provar, tastar…
See more
proberen, uitproberen, terechtstaan…
See more
ஏதாவது செய்ய முயற்சிக்க, இது பொருத்தமானதா அல்லது பயனுள்ளதா அல்லது அது செயல்படுகிறதா என்பதைப் பார்க்க எதையாவது சோதிக்க, ஒரு சட்ட நீதிமன்றத்தில் குற்றம் செய்ததாக குற்றம் சாட்டப்பட்ட ஒரு நபரை கேள்விகளைக் கேட்பதன் மூலமும்…
See more
प्रयत्न करना, कोशिश करना, (उपयुक्तता या उपयोगिता जांचने के किये कुछ) प्रयास करना…
See more
પ્રયાસ કરવો, કોશિષ કરવી, અજમાવવું…
See more
prøve, forsøge, stille for retten…
See more
försöka, pröva (prova) [med att], smaka…
See more
mencuba, membicarakan, menguji…
See more
versuchen, probieren, vor Gericht stellen…
See more
prøve, forsøke, teste…
See more
کوشش کرنا, مقدمہ چلانا, چھان بین کرنا…
See more
старатися, намагатися, спробувати…
See more
пытаться, стараться, пробовать…
See more
ప్రయత్నం, ప్రయత్నించు, విచారించు / న్యాయస్థానంలో నేరం చేసినట్లు ఆరోపణలు ఎదుర్కొంటున్న వ్యక్తిని ప్రశ్నలు అడగడం ద్వారా…
See more
يُحاوِل, يُجَرِّب, مُحاوَلة…
See more
চেষ্টা করা, পরীক্ষা করে দেখা, ব্যবহারযোগ্য কিনা সেটা যাচাই করে দেখা…
See more
pokusit se, zkusit, soudit…
See more
berusaha, mencoba, mengadili…
See more
พยายาม, ทดสอบ, สอบสวนในศาล…
See more
cố gắng, thử, xét xử…
See more
próbować, sądzić, osądzać…
See more
노력하다, 시도하다, 노력…
See more
provare, cercare, tentare…
See more
Need a translator?
Get a quick, free translation!
Translator tool
Browse
trusting
trustworthy
truth
truthful
try
try sth on
try sth out
trying
tsar
More Learner's Dictionary definitions for try
All
try sth on
try sth out
do/try your best
take/try a different tack
See all meanings
Phrasal Verbs
try sth on
try sth out
See all phrasal verb meanings
Word of the Day
response
UK
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/rɪˈspɒns/
US
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
/rɪˈspɑːns/
an answer or reaction
About this
Blog
Forget doing it or forget to do it? Avoiding common mistakes with verb patterns (2)
March 06, 2024
Read More
New Words
inverse vaccine
March 11, 2024
More new words
has been added to list
To top
Contents
Learner’s DictionaryTranslations
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024
Learn
Learn
Learn
New Words
Help
In Print
Word of the Year 2021
Word of the Year 2022
Word of the Year 2023
Develop
Develop
Develop
Dictionary API
Double-Click Lookup
Search Widgets
License Data
About
About
About
Accessibility
Cambridge English
Cambridge University Press & Assessment
Consent Management
Cookies and Privacy
Corpus
Terms of Use
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2024
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Dictionary
Definitions
Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English
English
Learner’s Dictionary
Essential British English
Essential American English
Translations
Click on the arrows to change the translation direction.
Bilingual Dictionaries
English–Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Simplified)–English
English–Chinese (Traditional)
Chinese (Traditional)–English
English–Dutch
Dutch–English
English–French
French–English
English–German
German–English
English–Indonesian
Indonesian–English
English–Italian
Italian–English
English–Japanese
Japanese–English
English–Norwegian
Norwegian–English
English–Polish
Polish–English
English–Portuguese
Portuguese–English
English–Spanish
Spanish–English
English–Swedish
Swedish–English
Semi-bilingual Dictionaries
English–Arabic
English–Bengali
English–Catalan
English–Czech
English–Danish
English–Gujarati
English–Hindi
English–Korean
English–Malay
English–Marathi
English–Russian
English–Tamil
English–Telugu
English–Thai
English–Turkish
English–Ukrainian
English–Urdu
English–Vietnamese
Translate
Grammar
Thesaurus
Pronunciation
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
Shop
Cambridge Dictionary +Plus
My profile
+Plus help
Log out
Log in /
Sign up
English (US)
Change
English (UK)
English (US)
Español
Русский
Português
Deutsch
Français
Italiano
中文 (简体)
正體中文 (繁體)
Polski
한국어
Türkçe
日本語
Tiếng Việt
Nederlands
Svenska
Dansk
Norsk
हिंदी
বাঙ্গালি
मराठी
ગુજરાતી
தமிழ்
తెలుగు
Українська
Follow us
Choose a dictionary
Recent and Recommended
Definitions
Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English
English
Learner’s Dictionary
Essential British English
Essential American English
Grammar and thesaurus
Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English
Grammar
Thesaurus
Pronunciation
British and American pronunciations with audio
English Pronunciation
Translation
Click on the arrows to change the translation direction.
Bilingual Dictionaries
English–Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Simplified)–English
English–Chinese (Traditional)
Chinese (Traditional)–English
English–Dutch
Dutch–English
English–French
French–English
English–German
German–English
English–Indonesian
Indonesian–English
English–Italian
Italian–English
English–Japanese
Japanese–English
English–Norwegian
Norwegian–English
English–Polish
Polish–English
English–Portuguese
Portuguese–English
English–Spanish
Spanish–English
English–Swedish
Swedish–English
Semi-bilingual Dictionaries
English–Arabic
English–Bengali
English–Catalan
English–Czech
English–Danish
English–Gujarati
English–Hindi
English–Korean
English–Malay
English–Marathi
English–Russian
English–Tamil
English–Telugu
English–Thai
English–Turkish
English–Ukrainian
English–Urdu
English–Vietnamese
Dictionary +Plus
Word Lists
Choose your language
English (US)
English (UK)
Español
Русский
Português
Deutsch
Français
Italiano
中文 (简体)
正體中文 (繁體)
Polski
한국어
Türkçe
日本語
Tiếng Việt
Nederlands
Svenska
Dansk
Norsk
हिंदी
বাঙ্গালি
मराठी
ગુજરાતી
தமிழ்
తెలుగు
Українська
Contents
Learner’s Dictionary
Verb
try (ATTEMPT)
try (TEST)
try (LAW)
Noun
try (ATTEMPT)
give sth a try
try (SPORT)
Translations
Grammar
All translations
My word lists
Add try to one of your lists below, or create a new one.
More
Go to your word lists
Tell us about this example sentence:
The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word.
The sentence contains offensive content.
Cancel
Submit
The word in the example sentence does not match the entry word.
The sentence contains offensive content.
Cancel
Submit
try - WordReference.com Dictionary of English
try - WordReference.com Dictionary of English
WordReference.com | Online Language Dictionaries
English Dictionary
| try
×
English definition
English synonyms
English-Spanish
English-French
English-Italian
Spanish-English
French-English
Italian-English
Spanish-French
French-Spanish
Spanish-Portuguese
Portuguese-Spanish
Español: definición
Español: sinónimos
Español: gramática
Català: definició
more...
Forums
See Also:
truth claim
truth drug
truth or consequences
truth quark
truth serum
truth set
truth table
truth-function
truth-value
truthful
try
try line
try on
try out
try square
try-pot
trying
trying plane
tryma
tryout
trypaflavine
Recent searches:
View All
try
[links]
Listen:
UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈtraɪ/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/traɪ/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(trī)
ⓘ One or more forum threads is an exact match of your searched term
in Spanish |
in French |
English synonyms |
English Collocations |
English Usage |
Conjugator |
in context |
images
Inflections of 'try' (n): npl: tries
Inflections of 'try' (v): (⇒ conjugate)triesv 3rd person singular tryingv pres p triedv past triedv past p
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024try /traɪ/USA pronunciation
v., tried, try•ing, n., pl. tries. v. to attempt to do or accomplish: [~ + to + verb]He tried to run, but he soon got tired.[~ + verb-ing]Try running a mile a day.[no object]You must try harder if you want to succeed.[~ + and + root form of verb]We'll try and do that again.
to test the effect or result of: [~ + object]He tried each button, but nothing worked.[~ (+ out) + object]He tried (out) a new recipe for chicken.[~ + object (+ out)]He tried it (out).
to attempt to open (a door, etc.) to find out whether it is locked:[~ + object]He tried every door, one after the other.
to sample or taste to evaluate or judge:[~ + object]to try a new food.
Law to examine and decide on something, as in a court of law, esp. to determine the guilt or innocence of (a person):[~ + object]The state tried him for murder.
to put to a severe test:[~ + object]She is trying my patience with her chatter.
try on, to put on an article of clothing to judge how well it fits: [~ + object + on]Try this jacket on.[~ + on + object]She tried on every jacket in the store.
try out, [no object] to compete for a role, as by taking part in a test or trial:tried out for the swim team.
n. [countable] an attempt or effort:We'll give it another try.
Sometimes there is a difference in meaning when try is followed by to + verb as compared to when it is followed by verb-ing. One meaning ofMy friend tried to run five miles a dayis that my friend made an attempt to run five miles a day but did not always succeed in doing so. In the sentenceMy friend tried running five miles a day,the impression is that my friend did in fact run five miles a day, perhaps as a way of losing weight or staying (or getting) fit.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024try
(trī),USA pronunciation v., tried, try•ing, n., pl. tries. v.t. to attempt to do or accomplish:Try it before you say it's simple.
to test the effect or result of (often fol. by out):to try a new method; to try a recipe out.
to endeavor to evaluate by experiment or experience:to try a new field; to try a new book.
to test the quality, value, fitness, accuracy, etc., of:Will you try a spoonful of this and tell me what you think of it?
Lawto examine and determine judicially, as a cause; determine judicially the guilt or innocence of (a person).
to put to a severe test; subject to strain, as of endurance, patience, affliction, or trouble; tax:to try one's patience.
to attempt to open (a door, window, etc.) in order to find out whether it is locked:Try all the doors before leaving.
to melt down (fat, blubber, etc.) to obtain the oil; render (usually fol. by out).
[Archaic.]
to determine the truth or right of (a quarrel or question) by test or battle (sometimes fol. by out).
to find to be right by test or experience.
v.i. to make an attempt or effort; strive:Try to complete the examination.
Nautical, Naval Termsto lie to in heavy weather under just sufficient sail to head into the wind.
Idioms try it, that, etc., on, [Chiefly Brit. Informal.]
to put on airs:She's been trying it on ever since the inheritance came through.
to be forward or presumptuous, esp. with a member of the opposite sex:She avoided him after he'd tried it on with her.
try on, to put on an article of clothing in order to judge its appearance and fit:You can't really tell how it will look until you try it on.
try out, to use experimentally; test:to try out a new car.
try out for, to compete for (a position, membership, etc.):Over a hundred boys came to try out for the football team.
n. an attempt or effort:to have a try at something.
Sport[Rugby.]a score of three points earned by advancing the ball to or beyond the opponents' goal line.
give it the old college try, [Informal.]to make a sincere effort:I gave it the old college try and finally found an apartment.
Anglo-French trier, Old French: to sift, cull, of uncertain origin, originally Middle English trien to try (a legal case) 1250–1300
1, 10.See corresponding entry in Unabridged Try, attempt, endeavor, strive all mean to put forth an effort toward a specific end. Try is the most often used and most general term:to try to decipher a message; to try hard to succeed.Attempt, often interchangeable with try, sometimes suggests the possibility of failure and is often used in reference to more serious or important matters:to attempt to formulate a new theory of motion.Endeavor emphasizes serious and continued exertion of effort, sometimes aimed at dutiful or socially appropriate behavior:to endeavor to fulfill one's obligations.Strive, stresses persistent, vigorous, even strenuous effort, often in the face of obstacles:to strive to overcome a handicap.
10. Try followed by and instead of to has been in standard use since the 17th century:The Justice Department has decided to try and regulate jury-selection practices.The construction occurs only with the base form try, not with tries or tried or trying. Although some believe that try and is less formal than try to, both patterns occur in all types of speech and writing.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
try /traɪ/ vb (tries, trying, tried)when tr, may take an infinitive, sometimes with to replaced by and: to make an effort or attempt: he tried to climb a cliff(transitive) often followed by out: to sample, test, or give experimental use to (something) in order to determine its quality, worth, etc(transitive) to put strain or stress on: he tries my patience(tr; often passive) to give pain, affliction, or vexation to: I have been sorely tried by those children to examine and determine the issues involved in (a cause) in a court of law to hear evidence in order to determine the guilt or innocence of (an accused)(transitive) to melt (fat, lard, etc) in order to separate out impurities n ( pl tries) an experiment or trial an attempt or effort the act of an attacking player touching the ball down behind the opposing team's goal line, scoring five or, in Rugby League, four pointsAlso called: try for a point an attempt made after a touchdown to score an extra point by kicking a goal or, for two extra points, by running the ball or completing a pass across the opponents' goal lineSee also try on, try outEtymology: 13th Century: from Old French trier to sort, sift, of uncertain originUSAGEThe use of and instead of to after try is very common, but should be avoided in formal writing: we must try to prevent (not try and prevent) this happening
'try' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Black Country
- Country Club Hills
- Finn
- I-spy
- added entry
- aim
- analytical entry
- and
- another
- argue
- ask
- ask for
- assay
- atry
- attack
- attempt
- audition
- avid
- back country
- bang
- bed
- bee
- benefit of clergy
- bill of entry
- blow
- blue-ribbon jury
- bob
- book of original entry
- bore
- bottom
- brain
- brass ring
- break and entry
- burden
- burl
- but
- butler's pantry
- call
- catch
- chancer
- change
- cheap out
- chou pastry
- cigar
- clear
- clutch
- college try
- combination square
- come
- conation
In Lists: Top 2000 English words, Sport balls, Points and scores in sport, more...Synonyms: attempt, make an effort, undertake, strive, essay, more...Collocations: try to [get, make, keep, find, use, help], on the [first, second, third, last, final] try, am trying to [get, hear, see, listen], more...
Forum discussions with the word(s) "try" in the title:" I am considering to try description manner by using ..."
" try a computer = try out a computer " ?
-May I try it? - Please!
... are you even gonna try it?
... the children try to predict some words the may hear
... try various ways to show our support to our husband/s.
'I hope they will try to help' = I hope they will be willing to help?
'
'Try something you want' or 'try something you want to try'?
“Try to elicit as many examples of dishes and food as possible”
a bridge so try to learn / a bridge, try to learn
a climber has to try to move sideways as she moves forward
a good try to do something
A group of beggars try to construct a Bungalow
A little time, therefore - I shall certainly try to get the better
a lot of people try to push down
a tool for adults to try/trying
a trip to Mecca for religious reasons, (comma) that all Muslims try to make at least once in their life
all at once or in one go or in one try
All you can
all you could do is try /trying??
"Although I try" - inversion beginning with "try"
Although I’ll fail, I still want to have a try
always try to cover up any Innsmouth blood they have in 'em
And as hard as they would try they'd hurt to make you cry
and carefully try to restore the way it used to look.
and not try to jinx your knee
And try to restrain the [disproportionate fervor]
and, even worse, don't try..
Are you ever going to try
more...Visit the English Only Forum.Help WordReference: Ask in the forums yourself.
Look up "try" at Merriam-Webster
Look up "try" at dictionary.com
Go to Preferences page and choose from different actions for taps or mouse clicks.
In other languages: Spanish | French | Italian | Portuguese | Romanian | German | Dutch | Swedish | Russian | Polish | Czech | Greek | Turkish | Chinese | Japanese | Korean | Arabic
Links:
⚙️Preferences |
Abbreviations |
Pron. Symbols |
Privacy Policy |
Terms of Service |
Support WR |
Forums |
Suggestions
Advertisements
Advertisements
Report an inappropriate ad.
WordReference.com
WORD OF THE DAY
GET THE DAILY EMAIL!
Become a WordReference Supporter to view the site ad-free.
Copyright © 2024 WordReference.com
Please report any problems.
×