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

Blindly stumbling onto technological tools through unexamined trial and error can also lead down some pretty weird roads. —Literary Hub, 19 Nov. 2025

According to someone familiar with Project Prometheus’ work, the startup seeks to apply AI to physical tasks, which requires systems that can learn not just from massive amounts of digital data, like LLMs do, but from real-world trial and error. —Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 18 Nov. 2025

This process eliminates costly trial and error, saving hours spent on weeks of prototyping. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025

What does that trial and error look like, in a practical sense? —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 14 Nov. 2025

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