trial and error

noun

: a finding out of the best way to reach a desired result or a correct solution by trying out one or more ways or means and by noting and eliminating errors or causes of failure

also : the trying of one thing or another until something succeeds

Examples of trial and error in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Using accounting as an example, Ladish said the AI is given tens of thousands of accounting problems to solve through trial and error, repeating them millions of times across thousands of parallel training runs. — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Where Jacob’s process worked with the natural spontaneity (and trial and error) of human handiwork and fabric, AI probably would have just given the birds a warped beak or extra foot. — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Stuhlbarg noted a lot of trial and error before arriving at the version of the movie that made it to the screen. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026

That responsibility makes trial and error central to his work with Berger. — Ben Croll, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for trial and error

• bearer
• carer
• fairer
• ferrer
• rarer
• sharer
• terror
• wearer
• cupbearer
• declarer
• preparer
• repairer

Kids Definition

trial and error

noun

: the trying of one thing or another until something succeeds