try

verb \ ˈtrī \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of try

tried; trying

intransitive verb

: to make an attempt

you can do it if you try

transitive verb

1 : to make an attempt at —often used with an infinitive

try to fix the car

2 a : to put to test or trial

try one's luck

—often used with out

try out a new method

b : to subject to something (such as undue strain or excessive hardship or provocation) that tests the powers of endurance

c : demonstrate, prove

3 a : to examine or investigate judicially

try a case

b (1) : to conduct the trial of

(2) : to participate as counsel in the judicial examination of

4 a : to melt down and procure in a pure state : render

try out whale oil from blubber

b obsolete : purify, refine

5 : to fit or finish with accuracy

— try one's hand

: to attempt something for the first time

See try defined for English-language learners

See try defined for kids

Examples of try in a Sentence

I don't know if I can do it, but I'll try.
Keep trying. You can do it.
You can do it if you try hard enough.
“He said he can beat you.” “I'd like to see him try!”
I tried, but I just couldn't do it.
“She's not in the office now.” “OK. I'll try again later.”
I don't know where she is. Try calling her on her cell phone.
He tried a few things to remove the stain, but nothing worked.
Did you try restarting the computer?
If you want to lose weight, try exercising more.

Recent Examples of try from the Web

Even if producers often hire consultants down the line to try to lace these things with some sort of authenticity, in most cases, the train’s already left the station.

— jonny coleman, Los Angeles Magazine, "Why the Hell Can’t Hollywood Make a Decent Music Festival Movie?," 11 Apr. 2018
Taking the time to try might cause the chimp to lose its kill to competitors.

— National Geographic, "Chimps Eat Baby Monkey Brains First—A Clue to Human Evolution," 11 Apr. 2018
Due to how busy people are during the holidays, organizers decided to try for spring in order to increase participation, said Daniel Ukang.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Pomerado News, "Lost Boys 5K/10K Walk-a-Thon is Saturday at St. Michael's," 10 Apr. 2018
Glitter is hard enough to deal with on its own, and trying to mix it with sunscreen just seems even more complicated.

— tamara fuentes, Seventeen, "Glitter Sunscreen Actually Exists, So You Can Protect Your Skin AND Keep It Sparkly," 9 Apr. 2018
This year the conference will try to accomplish that feat while filling the void left by state champions Robert Krill of Brookfield East and John Massart and Ethan Budiono of Marquette.

— mark stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Storylines and players to watch in boys tennis," 29 Mar. 2018
Inexplicably, the Knights tried to call timeout on an in-bounds play but were out of timeouts.

— varsity staff, OrlandoSentinel.com, "VARSITY BUZZ: football coaching changes, spring games and spring sports news," 29 Mar. 2018
Schmidt tried to calm Sadeghi, but gave up and turned to walk back inside, Branagahn told the publication.

— don sweeney, sacbee, "Neighbor shot man in the head, cops say. Fiancee says it’s for disciplining their dog | The Sacramento Bee," 29 Mar. 2018
The defendant tried to get around an advertising ban by printing a political screed on the other side of his flyers.

— kevin werbach, WIRED, "Why Porn on the Blockchain Won't Doom Bitcoin," 29 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'try.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of try

Middle English trien, from Anglo-French trier to select, sort, examine, determine, probably from Late Latin tritare to grind, frequentative of Latin terere to rub — more at ¹throw

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

try Synonyms

Synonyms

strain, stretch, tax, test;

aggravate, agitate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get (to), gnaw (at), grate, harass, harry, hassle, irk, irritate, nettle, pain, peeve, pester, rile, spite, vex;

Synonym Discussion of try

afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear. afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

- ills that afflict the elderly

try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

- children often try their parents' patience

torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

- a horse tormented by flies

torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

- tortured by a sense of guilt

rack stresses straining or wrenching.

- a body racked by pain

attempt, try, endeavor, essay, strive mean to make an effort to accomplish an end. attempt stresses the initiation or beginning of an effort.

- will attempt to photograph the rare bird

try is often close to attempt but may stress effort or experiment made in the hope of testing or proving something.

- tried to determine which was the better procedure

endeavor heightens the implications of exertion and difficulty.

- endeavored to find crash survivors in the mountains

essay implies difficulty but also suggests tentative trying or experimenting.

- will essay a dramatic role for the first time

strive implies great exertion against great difficulty and specifically suggests persistent effort.

- continues to strive for peace

try

noun

Definition of try

plural tries

1 : an experimental trial : attempt

succeeded on the first try

2 : a play in rugby that is similar to a touchdown in football, scores usually five points, and entitles the scoring side to attempt a placekick at the goal for additional points; also : the score made on a try

See try defined for English-language learners

Examples of try in a Sentence

was granted another try at the field goal

Recent Examples of try from the Web

People who want to feed the birds but discourage other creatures from the feeders may find your turnbuckle idea worth a try.

— cathy m. rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, "Readers share how they accommodate wildlife," 13 Apr. 2018
And for the second time in three tries this week, Woods botched scoring chances on the second-nine par 5s, the 13th (par) and 15th (bogey).

— jesse smithey, Detroit Free Press, "2018 Masters: Tiger Woods shoots par on Saturday, far from contention," 7 Apr. 2018
Washington beat Charlotte for the first time in four tries this season.

— bobby bancroft, charlotteobserver, "Hornets drop 2nd straight in 1st loss of season to Wizards; John Wall returns | Charlotte Observer," 31 Mar. 2018
Six innings, no runs, 10 strikeouts including seven in a row, a nightmare to every Reds hitter but Scooter Gennett, who had three hits off Scherzer in three tries.

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Paul Daugherty: With Max Scherzer behind them, real season can begin for Cincinnati Reds," 30 Mar. 2018
Both are critically acclaimed and worth a try, especially at $20 a piece in this bundle.

— wired staff, WIRED, "Best Game Deals in Microsoft's Massive Xbox Spring Sale," 29 Mar. 2018
The hardest-line Iranian factions will pour scorn on colleagues willing to give diplomacy a try yet again.

— The Economist, "Scrapping the Iran nuclear deal will harm America," 28 Mar. 2018
Based on some breeding work done in Louisiana, the Southgate Series of rhododendrons are heat tolerant and worth a try.

— dan gill, NOLA.com, "Keep these plants out of your South Louisiana garden," 17 Mar. 2018
Bishop, perfect in seven tries, said the dominating performance came out a team effort.

— jason frakes and steve bittenbender, The Courier-Journal, "No. 1 Trinity, No. 5 Ballard advance to Seventh Region boys basketball final," 2 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of try

1832

try Synonyms

Synonyms

attempt, bid, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, offer, pass, shot, stab, trial, whack, whirl;

trial and error;

TRY Defined for English Language Learners

try

verb

Definition of try for English Language Learners

: to make an effort to do something : to attempt to accomplish or complete something
: to do or use (something) in order to see if it works or will be successful
: to do or use (something) in order to find out if you like it

try

noun

Definition of try for English Language Learners

: an effort or attempt to do something
rugby : a play in which points are scored by touching the ground with the ball behind the opponent's goal line

TRY Defined for Kids

try

verb \ ˈtrī \

Definition of try for Students

tried \ˈtrīd\; trying

1 : to make an effort or attempt at

He tries to remain calm.

Try calling her.

2 : to put to a test

Have you ever tried artichokes?

You might try this key in the lock.

3 : to examine or investigate in a court of law

They were tried for murder.

4 : to conduct the trial of

An experienced judge will try the case.

5 : to test to the limit

The children are trying my patience.

— try on

: to put on (a garment) to test the fit

— try out

: to compete to fill a part (as on an athletic team or in a play)

try

noun

Definition of try for Students

plural tries

: an effort to do something : attempt

It took several tries, but I finally scored.

Medical Dictionary

Try

abbreviation

medical Definition of Try

tryptophan

Law Dictionary

try

transitive verb

legal Definition of try

tried; trying

1 : to examine or investigate judicially

no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law
—U.S. Constitution amend. VII