tried

adjective

ˈtrīd 

1

: found good, faithful, or trustworthy through experience or testing

a tried recipe

2

: subjected to trials or distress

a kind but much-tried father

Synonyms

• reliable
• responsible
• good
• true
• safe
• steady
• sure

Examples of tried in a Sentence

a tried and trusted friend

a tried method for catching sport fish

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s Dandy Dozen, the tried but true roundup of the most talented recruits in this year’s senior class. —Andrea Williams, The Tennessean, 30 Aug. 2025

The chemistry shared between members Josh Homme, Michael Shuman, Troy Van Leeuwen, Jon Theodore, and Dean Fertita is certainly rich and hard to come by, but Queens have stuck by their tried and true rock playbook for decades. —Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Gabriel Jesus, a more tried and tested option, is still recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in January and is not expected back for some time. —David Ornstein, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025

But truck buyers still tend to favor the tried and true. —Robert Ferris, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from past participle of trien to try, test

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tried

• don't knock it until you've tried it
• tried-and-true
• tried his level best
• well-tried

Rhymes for tried

• bide
• bride
• chide
• cried
• died
• dried
• dyed
• eid
• eide
• eyed
• flied
• fried

Kids Definition

tried

1 of 2

ˈtrīd

past and past participle of try

tried

2 of 2 adjective

: found good, faithful, or trustworthy through experience or testing

a tried recipe