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

The Blacks, meanwhile, essentially held open tryouts to find new dragonriders to add more aerial firepower. —Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026

Start of Las Vegas NBA Summer League, which features rosters of draft picks, young players and tryout free agents from all 30 teams. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2026

Verb

The veteran decided to try out the school after watching it be built near his home, according to the institution. —Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026

Bermuda shorts tend to be a tricky silhouette for petite frames, but Gap’s petite sizing ensures these hit above the knee as designed—a rare win for those of us eager to try out the popular style. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026

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