tryout

1 of 2

noun

try·​out ˈtrī-ˌau̇t 

: an experimental performance or demonstration: such as

a

: a test of the ability (as of an athlete or actor) to fill a part or meet standards

b

: a performance of a play prior to its official opening to determine response and discover weaknesses

try out

2 of 2

verb

tried out; trying out; tries out

intransitive verb

: to compete for a position especially on an athletic team or for a part in a play

Examples of tryout in a Sentence

Noun

Open tryouts for the team are next Monday.

Verb

want to try out my new skateboard?

tried out his skill at archery

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Penn State's open tryouts provided the perfect stage—an arena where anonymity still felt possible. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 30 Sep. 2025

Players like Emily Dunn, a senior speedster who picked up a field hockey stick for the first time this summer, are exciting for Quinn to see at tryouts. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2025

Verb

Chad Powers was inspired by the real-life events of Eli going undercover at Penn State to try out as a walk-on quarterback during a 2022 episode of Eli's Places. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025

In Chad Powers, Zahn plays Jake Hudson, coach of the fictional team that Glen Powell’s title character goes to try out with. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1903, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1909, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tryout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

tryout

1 of 2 noun

try·​out ˈtrī-ˌau̇t 

: a test of the ability (as of an actor or athlete) to fill a part or meet standards

try out

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)trī-ˈau̇t

: to take part in a tryout especially for a position on an athletic team or a part in a play