try

Pronunciation

• enPR: trī, IPA ^(key): /traɪ/
• SAMPA: /traI/

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Verb

Plain form try

Third-person singular tries

Past tense tried

Past participle tried

Present participle trying

1. (transitive & intransitive) If you try to do something, you make effort to do it.

   As much as I tried, I couldn't understand it.

   I'm just trying to get things cleaned up before the kids get home.

   It's OK. We'll try again tomorrow.

   I really want to try and make a difference.

2. (transitive) If you try something, you taste, do, or use it to see if it's good.

   Try using the new shoes for a week and let me know if there any problems.

   He's never afraid to try something new.

   Did you try the fish in the fridge?

3. (transitive) If you try someone for a crime, you put them on trial.

   He was tried for robbery.

Synonyms

• attempt

Related words

• untried
• trying
• trial
• tryout

Noun

Singular try

Plural tries

A player scores a try in a game of rugby.

1. (countable) A try is when you attempt to do something.

   I gave juggling a try, but I just could not do it.

2. (countable) A try is when you taste, do, or use it to see if it's good.
3. (countable) (sports) A try is when you put the ball behind the other team's net in rugby.