try

¹try

verb \ˈtrī\

triedtry·ing

Definition of TRY

transitive verb

1

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

2

a : to put to test or trial <try one's luck> —often used with out <try out a new method> b : to subject to something (as undue strain or excessive hardship or provocation) that tests the powers of endurance c : demonstrate, prove

3

a obsolete : purify, refine b : to melt down and procure in a pure state : render <try out whale oil from blubber>

4

: to fit or finish with accuracy

5

: to make an attempt at —often used with an infinitive <try to fix the car>

intransitive verb

: to make an attempt <you can do it if you try>

— try one's hand

: to attempt something for the first time

Examples of TRY

1. I don't know if I can do it, but I'll try.
2. Keep trying. You can do it.
3. You can do it if you try hard enough.
4. “He said he can beat you.” “I'd like to see him try!”
5. I tried, but I just couldn't do it.
6. “She's not in the office now.” “OK. I'll try again later.”
7. I don't know where she is. Try calling her on her cell phone.
8. He tried a few things to remove the stain, but nothing worked.
9. Did you try restarting the computer?
10. If you want to lose weight, try exercising more.

Origin of TRY

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TRY

Synonyms: strain, stretch, tax, test

Related Words: demand, exact, importune, press, pressure, push; aggravate, agitate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get (to), gnaw (at), grate, harass, harry, hassle, irk, irritate, nettle, pain, peeve, pester, rile, spite, vex

Near Antonyms: drop, give up, quit

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at afflict, attempt