try

Pronunciation: /trʌɪ/

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Definition of try

verb (tries, trying, tried)

1 [no object] make an attempt or effort to do something: [with infinitive]:he tried to regain his breath I started to try and untangle the mystery I decided to try writing fiction [with object]:three times he tried the manoeuvre and three times he failed
[with object] (also try something out) use, test, or do (something new or different) in order to see if it is suitable, effective, or pleasant:everyone wanted to know if I’d tried jellied eel these methods are tried and tested
(try for) attempt to achieve or attain:they decided to try for another baby
(try out for) North American compete or audition for (a post or place on a team):she tried out for the team
[with object] attempt to contact:I’ve tried the apartment, but the number is engaged
[with object] push or pull (a door or window) to determine whether it is locked:I tried the doors, but they were locked
[with object] make severe demands on (a person or a quality, typically patience):Mary tried everyone’s patience to the limit

2 [with object] subject (someone) to trial:he was arrested and tried for the murder
investigate and decide (a case or issue) in a formal trial:the case is to be tried by a jury in the Crown Court

3 [with object] smooth (roughly planed wood) with a plane to give an accurately flat surface.

4 [with object] extract (oil or fat) by heating:some of the fat may be tried out and used

noun (plural tries)

1an effort to accomplish something; an attempt:he got his membership card on his third try
an act of trying something new or different to see if it is suitable, effective, or pleasant:she agreed that they should give the idea a try

2 Rugby an act of touching the ball down behind the opposing goal line, scoring points and entitling the scoring side to a kick at goal.
American Football an attempt to score an extra point after a touchdown.

Phrases

I (or he etc.) will try anything once: used to indicate willingness to do or experience something new: Rosie was willing to try anything once
try conclusions with: see conclusion.
try something (on) for size: assess whether something is suitable:he was trying the role for size
try for white: South African (under the apartheid system) attempt to pass oneself off as a white person by assimilating oneself into a white community: he tried for white but was rejected and took on an African identity
try one's hand at: attempt to do (something) for the first time, typically in order to find out if one is good at it:a chance to try your hand at the ancient art of drystone walling
try it on: attempt to deceive or seduce someone:he was trying it on with my wife; deliberately test someone’s patience to see how much one can get away with.
try one's luck: see luck.
try me: used to suggest that one may be willing to do something unexpected or unlikely:‘You won’t use a gun up here.’ ‘Try me.’

Phrasal Verbs

try something on: put on an item of clothing to see if it fits or suits one.

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French trier 'sift', of unknown origin. Sense 1 of the noun dates from the early 17th century

Is there any difference between try to plus infinitive and try and plus infinitive in sentences such as we should try to (or try and) help them? In practice there is little discernible difference in meaning, although there is a difference in formality, with try to being regarded as more formal than try and. The construction try and is grammatically odd, however, in that it cannot be inflected for tense (e.g. sentences like she tried and fix it or they are trying and renew their visa are not acceptable, while their equivalents she tried to fix it or they are trying to renew their visa undoubtedly are). For this reason try and is best regarded as a fixed idiom used only in its infinitive and imperative form. See also and (usage).

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try

verb (tries, trying, tried)

noun (plural tries)

Phrases

I (or he etc.) will try anything once

try conclusions with

try something (on) for size

try for white

try one's hand at

try it on

try one's luck

try me

Phrasal Verbs

try something on

Origin:

try in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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