try
verb (transitive)
UK/traɪ/US/traɪ/
to make an effort or attempt to do something
Example Sentences
You should try the new software update to see if it resolves the issue.
I decided to try my hand at baking bread for the first time yesterday.
She will try to finish the project before the deadline.
Don’t be afraid to try something unfamiliar or challenging.
He plans to try different methods until he finds one that works best.
I’ll try calling the help desk again if the problem persists.
After several failed attempts, she vowed to try once more, determined to improve her technique and finally complete the challenging piano piece she had been practicing for months.
They encouraged each other to try harder every day, pushing themselves to master new skills and achieve the ambitious goals they had set at the beginning of the year.
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Antonyms
noun (countable)
UK/traɪ/US/traɪ/
an attempt or effort made to do something
Example Sentences
Give it a try, and you might be surprised at the result.
His first try at painting was successful, displaying real artistic talent.
They made one last try before calling it quits for the day.
She deserved credit for her brave try despite the challenging circumstances.
It’s always worth another try if your initial strategy doesn’t work out.
He wanted to make a try for the record, pushing himself to set a new personal best.
After countless tries, the research team finally managed to develop a prototype that met the project’s stringent performance requirements, demonstrating both innovation and perseverance.
Sometimes, a single try is enough to get it right, but more often than not, repeated attempts pave the way to mastery and a thorough understanding of the task.
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Synonyms
How to Use
Attempting to accomplish something or handle a challenge.“Try” is frequently used as a verb to indicate putting forth effort toward a goal or action. For instance, you might say, “I’ll try to finish my work by the deadline,” expressing a strong intention to do so. It can also be used to encourage someone to make an effort: “Try running every morning to get fitter.” When giving advice, you might use “try” alongside a gerund or an infinitive: “Try to check the oil level before driving,” or “Try checking the oil level.” This flexibility lets you adapt the phrase to different grammatical structures. It’s equally common in spoken and written language, whether in serious contexts (“I will try my best to resolve this issue”) or casual ones (“I’ll try calling him later”). Essentially, “try” communicates the willingness to do something, even if the outcome is uncertain. By using this word strategically, you reinforce an open-minded and proactive approach to problem-solving, learning, or simply exploring possibilities.
Alternatives
When you want to express the notion of making an effort, there are several alternatives to “try.” Terms like “attempt,” “endeavor,” and “strive” emphasize a conscious effort toward a goal, though “endeavor” often suggests a larger or more challenging task. Casual phrases such as “give it a shot” or “have a go” maintain a friendly, encouraging tone, suitable for informal chats. Meanwhile, “experiment” or “test” may signal a more investigative or exploratory approach. “Attempt” aligns closely with “try” in meaning, underscoring the act of starting something without guaranteeing success. “Strive,” by contrast, indicates persistent, goal-oriented effort—often used in contexts that require dedication or ambition. Whether you’re drafting an email or having a conversation, choosing the right synonym depends on the setting, your relationship with the audience, and the level of intensity or formality you wish to convey. By varying your vocabulary among these alternatives, you can maintain clarity while providing subtle nuances in emphasis and tone.
Writing
When writing with the word “try,” clarity and intent are crucial. Use “try” to show a willingness to act or a determination to succeed. For more formal pieces, ensure context frames the action you are suggesting, such as “She will try to negotiate better terms for the contract.” If you aim to engage the reader or invite them to participate, phrases like “Why not try a new approach?” can be effective. You can also vary sentence structure to avoid monotony. For example, rather than always using “try” plus an infinitive, blend in gerunds—“Try exploring these alternatives”—to maintain a natural flow. Pay attention to tone: “try” is versatile enough to convey both informality and courtesy, depending on how you arrange the surrounding words. In more persuasive or instructional writing, combining “try” with qualifiers can bolster encouragement: “Try your very best,” “Try consistently,” or “Try approaching the task differently.” Effective usage of “try” helps underline the effort and possibility inherent in any challenging or new undertaking.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “try” comes in handy whenever you want to encourage a friend or express your willingness to do something. You might say, “I’ll try to meet you there by six,” indicating you’re not fully certain but still making an effort. If someone is feeling discouraged, an encouraging “Just try again; you’ve got this!” can give them the confidence to persist. When making suggestions, “Try adding a little lemon to your tea” works well if you’re recommending something new or different. Because it’s such a short and straightforward word, “try” easily slips into casual exchanges, helping you sound approachable and open-minded. Whether you’re discussing dinner plans—“Let’s try that new pizza place!”—or inviting a friend to learn a new skill—“Try practicing a bit every day”—“try” is a friendly, universal term that blends well into informal dialogues and everyday speech.
Etymology
The word “try” comes from the Old French “trier,” meaning “to pick out” or “to sift,” which ultimately traces back to the Latin “tritare,” meaning “to grind.” Over time, its meaning in English evolved from the idea of testing or refining something to include making an effort or experimenting with possibilities. By the 14th century, “try” already featured in texts to represent testing, judging, or attempting a task. This shift mirrors the broader linguistic pattern of words that begin with a sense of testing or proving, then come to signify effort or exploration. Historically, “try” has also been associated with legal and judicial contexts, where a case is “tried” in court. Today, the word is deeply woven into everyday language, signifying an action taken with no guarantee of success but a willingness to explore the possibility. Its journey from a term of sorting and evaluating to one of attempting reflects the continuous evolution of language, bridging past and present meanings.
