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 of tried

• 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

Candles are a tried and true method for keeping a strong counter scent wafting through the bathroom. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 May 2026

And if those ideas still feel a little too involved, reach for a shimmery top coat for tried and true sparkle. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 29 May 2026

And that scene is playing on a very tried and true form of spiritualism. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 May 2026

Use these three tried and true strategies to pick a good bottle of wine at the grocery store. —Katie Kelly Bell, AJC.com, 2 May 2026

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