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

Of the 60 women that responded to the ad, only 20 moved on to the second round of tryouts, and one of the players at the top of the list was University of Kansas basketball star Lynette Woodard. —NPR, 17 Oct. 2025

Sheary spent most of last season in the AHL and started training camp on a professional tryout. —Peter Baugh, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

Verb

The best part is that the skills honed while cooking old favorites can always be put to use when trying out new things. —Brittany Loggins, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025

Indeed, global features director and mattress reviewer Sam Cochran reported a similar experience when trying out the brand’s Lux Hybrid Mattress—which combines three layers of foam with a firm core support and contour-adapt coils. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 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