try
try
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "try" is /traɪ/.
/traɪ/
Word Form Variations
Verb: try (base form), tries (third person singular present), trying (present participle), tried (past simple, past participle)
Noun: try (singular), tries (plural)
Adjective: trying (present participle used adjectivally)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Definition 1: To make an effort or attempt to do something.
Synonyms: attempt, endeavor, strive, endeavor, seek, exert oneself
Antonyms: give up, quit, abandon, desist, neglect
Definition 2: To test (something or someone) in order to determine its effectiveness, quality, or suitability.
Synonyms: test, examine, assess, evaluate, put to the test, sample
Antonyms: assume, accept, believe (without testing), ignore
Definition 3: To put (a person) on trial or conduct the trial of (a case) in a court of law.
Synonyms: hear (a case), adjudge, prosecute, litigate
Antonyms: acquit, dismiss (a case), pardon, exonerate
Definition 4: To strain or tax (someone's patience, strength, or tolerance).
Synonyms: tax, strain, stretch, test, burden, vex, annoy
Antonyms: ease, soothe, relieve, comfort, refresh
Definition 5: To make a vigorous or determined effort to get through a difficult situation.
Synonyms: struggle, contend, battle, fight, strive
Antonyms: give up, surrender, yield, submit
Noun
Definition 1: An attempt or effort to do something.
Synonyms: attempt, effort, endeavor, shot (informal), go (informal), crack (informal)
Antonyms: success, achievement, completion, failure (if a failed attempt)
Definition 2: (Rugby) An act of scoring points by touching the ball down behind the opponent's goal line.
Synonyms: score, touchdown (American football equivalent)
Antonyms: penalty, foul, miss
Definition 3: (Informal) Something that tests one's patience or endurance; a difficult experience.
Synonyms: ordeal, test, challenge, struggle, burden
Antonyms: breeze, cinch, easy task, pleasure
Adjective (Present Participle 'trying' used adjectivally)
Definition 1: Difficult or annoying to deal with; hard to endure.
Synonyms: difficult, arduous, challenging, tough, taxing, stressful, irritating, vexing
Antonyms: easy, simple, pleasant, straightforward, comfortable, relaxing
Examples of Use
Books:
"Do or do not. There is no try." (Yoda in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, 1980)
"The detective decided to try a different approach to the cold case, hoping new evidence would emerge." (Fictional example from a crime thriller)
"The book details how scientists try to understand the complexities of the human brain through various experiments." (From a non-fiction book on neuroscience or psychology)
Newspapers:
"The government vowed to try new economic policies to curb inflation and boost growth." ("Business Daily Africa,")
"The court is set to try the suspect for corruption charges next month." ("Daily Nation,")
"Coaches urged the national rugby team to score more tries in the upcoming tournament." ("The Standard Sports,")
Online Publications:
"How to try new recipes with confidence: A beginner's guide to cooking." (An article on a cooking blog, e.g., Food52.com)
"Our new beta feature is available for you to try out today! Give us your feedback." (A call to action on a software company's website, e.g., Google Blog)
"Don't try this at home: The most dangerous TikTok challenges you should avoid." (An article on a popular culture website, e.g., Buzzfeed)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Just keep swimming." (Dory in Finding Nemo, 2003) - This implicitly encourages continued effort, or "trying."
Television Series: "For your next challenge, you must try to build a functional shelter using only natural materials." (Instructions on a reality survival show, e.g., Alone)
Song Lyrics: "All I am is a man, I want the world in my hands. I hate the road, but I love the climb." (Imagine Dragons, "Believer," 2017) - This relates to the effort to "try" and achieve.
Video Games: "You have one last try to defeat the final boss before the game ends." (In-game notification or challenge, e.g., Dark Souls)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we try to answer the age-old question: are humans inherently good or evil?" (A podcast host introducing a philosophical discussion, e.g., The Partially Examined Life)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you try to open this jar for me? It's really tight." (A common request)
"I'll try my best to be there on time." (A common promise)
"Don't knock it till you try it!" (A common idiom encouraging trying new things)
"He's going through a very trying time right now with his illness." (Describing a difficult period)
"Let's give it one more try!" (A common phrase to encourage another attempt)
"The prosecutor will try to prove his guilt in court today." (A statement about legal proceedings)
"I need to try on these new shoes before I buy them." (A common action when shopping)
10 Quotes Using Try
"Do or do not. There is no try." (Yoda in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, 1980)
"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." (William Edward Hickson, Moral Songs, 1840)
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it." (Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Address, 2005) - This implicitly speaks to the continuous effort to "try" to find one's passion.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." (Wayne Gretzky) - This is a call to action, to "try" or attempt.
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." (Thomas A. Edison) - This reflects perseverance through repeated "tries."
"Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you." (Walt Whitman) - This implies a sustained effort to "try" to maintain a positive outlook.
"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." (Earl Nightingale) - This encourages continuous "try"ing towards a goal.
"When you try to please everyone, you please no one." (Unknown, widely circulated motivational quote)
"Don't knock it till you try it!" (Common idiom, widely used)
"The truth will set you free." (John 8:32, Biblical) - This implies that seeking the truth requires a "try" or effort.
Etymology
The word "try" has a long and interesting history, linked to testing and proving.
It comes from the Old French verb trier.
This Old French word had several meanings, including "to try," "to examine," "to prove," or "to sort/select." The core idea was about putting something to the test to determine its quality or nature.
Trier itself is believed to come from a Late Latin word, tritare, which meant "to thresh grain" (separating the good from the bad). This root connects to the idea of sifting, sorting, or evaluating.
When "try" first appeared in English, in the late 13th century (around 1290), its initial meaning was primarily "to examine (a person or thing) legally or judicially," or "to put (someone) on trial." This is where its legal sense comes from.
Soon after, by the late 14th century, the meaning broadened to its more common sense of "to attempt; to endeavor to do something." This likely evolved from the idea of "testing" one's abilities or "proving" a method.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Try
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "try":
To try on: To put on a piece of clothing to see if it fits or looks good.
To try out: To test something (a product, a skill, a person for a role) to see if it's suitable or effective.
To try for (something): To attempt to achieve a goal.
To try one's hand at (something): To attempt something for the first time.
To try one's luck: To take a chance on something.
To try a different tack: To attempt a new approach or method. (Synonym for "try a new way")
To give it a go: To make an attempt. (Synonym for "to try it")
To try as best one can: To make the maximum possible effort.
To give it a shot: To make an attempt. (Synonym for "to try it")
To put to the test: To evaluate the effectiveness or capability of something/someone. (Synonym for "to try out")
Tried and true: Something that has been tested and proven effective over time.
To try the patience of (someone): To annoy or exasperate someone greatly.
Don't try this at home: A warning against attempting a dangerous or difficult stunt.
To get the hang of (something): To learn how to do something effectively. (Synonymous with "after trying for a while")
To keep pushing the limits: To continuously attempt to exceed previous boundaries. (Synonymous with "always trying harder")
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of try from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
