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

With that, the Panthers sent a roster heavy with prospects and players in camp on tryouts to Nashville for their preseason doubleheader against the Predators. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025

The tryout in Minnesota is not new territory for Johnson, who made the Colorado roster in a similar situation four years ago, and ended up with his name on the game’s most coveted trophy. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025

Verb

In her last video, Zuza recounted the many things that brought her joy in the midst of her battle with cancer, including her friends, her pets and trying out different hair styles. —Mason Leath, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025

Zendaya isn’t the only cusper to try out the Gen X boot tuck, as my British Vogue colleague Daniel Rodgers pointed out earlier this summer. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2025

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