Try
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /tɹaɪ/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Try is a verb meaning To attempt; to endeavour. Followed by infinitive.
Meaning
To attempt; to endeavour. Followed by infinitive.
More Meanings
- To test, to work out.
- To experiment, to strive.
- (nautical) To lie to in heavy weather under just sufficient sail to head into the wind.
- To strain; to subject to excessive tests.
- An attempt.
- (obsolete) To divide; to separate.
- (slang, chiefly African-American Vernacular, used with another verb) To want, to desire.
Example Sentences
The light tries his eyes.
Repeated failures try one's patience.
Can you start the car? —I'll try (to).
I tried to rollerblade, but I couldn’t.
Word Forms
- trying
Synonyms for try
Depending on context, synonyms include attempt, endeavor, fand, mint, strive, put.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include attempt, assay, endeavour, endeavor, seek, effort.
Related Dictionary Tools
Practice “try” in a Crossword
Recall this definition from a clue, use crossing letters, and review the word again when you solve it.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.