try

I. try1 S1 W1 /traɪ/ verb (past tense and past participle tried, present participle trying, third person singular tries)
[Word Family: adjective: trying, untried; verb: try; noun: try]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: trier 'to pick out, sift', probably from Late Latin tritare 'to rub to pieces', from Latin terere 'to rub']
1. ATTEMPT [intransitive and transitive] to take action in order to do something that you may not be able to do:
   • Let’s have a rest and then we’ll try again.
  try to do something
   • He tried to control his voice.
   • She was trying not to cry.
  try and do something
   • Try and take some form of daily exercise.
  try hard/desperately (to do something) (=make a lot of effort to do something)
   • She dabbed at her face and tried hard not to sniff.
   • I tried everything to lose weight with no success.
  try your best/hardest (to do something) (=make as much effort as possible to do something)
   • I tried my best to comfort her.
   • I tried and tried (=kept making an effort) and eventually I was offered a job.
   • Try as he might (=as hard as he could), he could not get the incident out of his mind.
  it wasn’t for lack/want of trying (=used to say that if someone does not achieve something it is not because they have not tried)
   • They didn’t get any goals, but it wasn’t for the lack of trying.
  you couldn’t do something if you tried (=used to say that someone does not have the skill or ability to do something)
   • She couldn’t speak French if she tried.
2. TEST/USE [transitive] to do or use something for a short while to discover if it is suitable, successful, enjoyable etc:
   • It works really well – you should try it.
  try doing something
   • They decided they would try living in America for a while.
   • Try logging off and logging on again.
  try something new/different (=do or use something that is different from what you usually do or use)
   • If I'm going out for a meal, I prefer to try something different.
  try something on somebody/something
   • We tried the machine on hardwood and soft wood.
  try somebody on something
   • Petra’s trying the baby on solid foods.
  try something for size (=put on a piece of clothing or test something to find out if it is the correct size or suitable)
   • Always try a sleeping bag for size before you buy it.
  GRAMMAR
   If you try to do something, you attempt to succeed in doing it:
   ▪ • We must try to prevent this happening.
   If you try doing something, you do it in order to find out if it is enjoyable or produces the result you want:
   ▪ • Try using margarine instead of butter.
3. FOOD/DRINK [transitive] to taste food or drink to find out if you like it SYN taste:
   • Would you like to try some crisps?
4. TRY TO FIND SOMEBODY/SOMETHING [intransitive and transitive] to go to a place or person, or call them, in order to find something or someone:
   • Sorry, he’s not in. Would you like to try again later?
   • Let’s try Mouncy Street. He could be there.
5. DOOR/WINDOW [transitive] to attempt to open a door, window etc in order to see if it is locked:
   • She tried the door and it opened.
   • He tried the handle but the door was locked.
6. LAW [transitive usually passive] to examine and judge a legal case, or someone who is thought to be guilty of a crime in a court ⇨ trial
  be tried for something
   • He was tried for attempting to murder his wife.
   • The defence argued that a regional court was not competent to try their case.
7. try sb’s patience to make someone feel impatient ⇨ trying:
   • The programs take too long to load and try the patience of young pupils.
8. try your hand at something to try a new activity in order to see whether it interests you or whether you are good at it:
   • I tried my hand at water-skiing for the first time.
9. try your luck to try to achieve something or get something you want, usually by taking a risk:
   • After the war my father went to Canada to try his luck at farming.
10. try it on (with somebody) British English spoken
   a) to behave badly in order to find out how bad you can be before people become angry:
   • She is naughty, that one. She tries it on with me sometimes!
   b) to attempt to start a sexual relationship with someone:
   • When I came back in, one of the men was trying it on with my wife!
     • • •

COLLOCATIONS■ adverbs

   ▪ hard • She was trying hard not to show her impatience.
   ▪ desperately • They try desperately to please other people.
   ▪ unsuccessfully/in vain • He has tried unsuccessfully to quit smoking.
   ▪ try your best/hardest (=make as much effort as possible) • Try your best to block out other distractions.
     • • •

THESAURUS

   ▪ try to take action in order to do something that you may not be able to do: • I tried to explain what was wrong. | • He tries hard in class, but he’s finding the work difficult.
   ▪ attempt to try to do something, especially something difficult. Attempt is more formal than try and is used especially in written English: • Any prisoner who attempts to escape will be shot. | • He was attempting to climb one of the world’s highest mountains.
   ▪ do your best to try as hard as you can to do something: • We will do our best to help them.
   ▪ make an effort to do something to try to do something, when you find this difficult: • It is worth making an effort to master these skills. | • She made a big effort to be nice to him.
   ▪ struggle to try very hard to do something that is very difficult, especially for a long time: • She’s still struggling to give up smoking. | • Many of these families are struggling to survive.
   ▪ strive formal to try very hard to achieve something: • The company must constantly strive for greater efficiency.
   ▪ endeavour British English, endeavor American English /ɪnˈdevə $ -ər/ formal to try hard to do something: • Each employee shall endeavour to provide customers with the best service possible.
   ▪ have a go/try informal to try to do something, especially when you are not sure that you will succeed: • I’m not very good at fixing taps, but I’ll have a go. | • Do you want to have another try?
   ▪ see if you can do something spoken to try to do something – used when offering to do something, or suggesting that someone should do something: • I’ll see if I can get you a ticket. | • See if you can persuade her to come.
try for something phrasal verb British English
   to try and get something you really want, such as a job, a prize, or a chance to study somewhere:
   • I decided I must try for some paid work.
   • We have been trying for a baby (=trying to have a baby) for nine years.
try something ↔ on phrasal verb
   to put on a piece of clothing to see if it fits you or if it suits you, especially in a shop:
   • Meg was trying on some red sandals.
try something ↔ out phrasal verb
  1. to test something such as a method or a piece of equipment to see if it is effective or works properly ⇨ try-out:
   • I’m trying out a new computer.
  2. to practise a skill in order to improve it
  try something ↔ out on
   • She enjoyed trying her French out on Jean-Pierre.
try out for something phrasal verb American English
   to try to be chosen as a member of a team, for a part in a play etc SYN audition for ⇨ tryout:
   • In high school, I tried out for all the female leads.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

try

try[trytriestriedtrying]verb,noun [traɪ] [traɪ]

verb(tries, try·ing, tried, tried)

1. intransitive, transitive to make an attempt or effort to do or get sth

• I don't know if I can come but I'll try.

• ~ to do sth What are you trying to do?

• I tried hard not to laugh.

• You haven't even tried to find it.

• Don't try to do it too quickly.

• ~ your best/hardest (to do sth) She tried her best to solve the problem.

• Just try your hardest. In spoken English try can be used with and plus another verb, instead of with to and the infinitive

• I'll try and get you a new one tomorrow.

• Try and finish quickly. In this structure, only the form try can be used, not tries, trying or tried.

2. transitive to use, do or test sth in order to see if it is good, suitable, etc

• ~ sth Have you tried this new coffee? It's very good.

• ‘Would you like to try some raw fish?’ ‘Why not? I'll try anything once!’

• Have you ever tried windsurfing?

• Try these shoes for size — they should fit you.

• She tried the door, but it was locked.

• ~ doing sth John isn't here. Try phoning his home number. Notice the difference between try to do sth and try doing sth

• You should try to eat more fruit. means ‘You should make an effort to eat more fruit.’; You should try eating more fruit. means ‘You should see if eating more fruit will help you’ (to feel better, for example).

3. transitive to examine evidence in court and decide whether sb is innocent or guilty

• ~ sb (for sth) He was tried for murder.

• ~ sth The case was tried before a jury.

more at do/try your damnedest at damnedest, do/try your level best (to do sth) at level adj., these things are sent to try us at thing

Word Origin:

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

Example Bank:

• Can you guys at least try and be nice to her?

• Can't you do it? Let me try.

• Do you actively try to get involved in other people's projects?

• He wouldn't hesitate to try and kill them.

• I clumsily tried to make amends.

• I dare you to try and stop her.

• I decided to try again.

• I hope you're not going to try and deny it.

• I hurriedly tried to unlock the door.

• I tried my best not to laugh.

• I was just trying to help!

• I wondered if he was purposely trying to avoid me.

• I'm constantly trying to make things better.

• I've given up trying to persuade her.

• Sam was trying hard not to laugh.

• She didn't even bother to try to check on her son.

• She tried valiantly to smile through her tears.

• She was trying desperately to stay afloat.

• We have to continue to try to learn more about this.

• a treason charge for allegedly trying to overthrow the government by force

• ‘Would you like to try some raw fish?’ ‘Why not? I'll try anything once.’

• Don't try to do it too quickly.

• Have you tried this new coffee? It's very good.

• I don't know if I can come but I'll try.

• I'll try and get you a new one tomorrow.

• John isn't here. Try phoning his home number.

• Try these shoes for size — they should fit you.

• You haven't even tried to find it.

Idioms: not for want of trying ▪ try it on ▪ try somebody's patience ▪ try your hand ▪ try your luck

Derived: try for something ▪ try out for something ▪ try somebody out ▪ try something on

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

try / traɪ / verb [ I or T ] (ATTEMPT)

A2 to attempt to do something:

Keep trying and you'll find a job eventually.

If I don't get into the academy this year, I'll try again next year.

I've tried really hard but I can't persuade him to come.

I'm trying my best/hardest , but I just can't do it.

[ + to infinitive ] I tried to open the window.

[ + -ing verb ] Perhaps you should try gett ing up (= you should get up) earlier.

try / traɪ / verb (TEST)

B1 [ T ] to test something to see if it is suitable or useful or if it works:

I tried that recipe you gave me last night.

I'm afraid we don't sell newspapers - have you tried the shop on the corner?

[ + -ing verb ] Try us ing a different shampoo.

I thought I might try parachut ing .

I've forgotten my door-keys - we'd better try the window (= test it to see if it is open) .

tried and tested/trusted ( US tried and true ) used by many people and proved to be effective:

Most people would prefer to stick to tried and true methods of birth control.

try / traɪ / verb [ T ] (LAW)

C2 to examine a person accused of committing a crime in a law court by asking them questions and considering known facts, and then decide if they are guilty:

Because of security implications the officers were tried in secret.

They are being tried for murder.

→ See also trial noun (LEGAL PROCESS)

try / traɪ / verb [ T ] (WORRY)

to worry or annoy someone or upset a person's patience with many, often slight, difficulties:

The demands of the job have tried him sorely .

He's been trying my patience all morning with his constant questions.

Her endless demands would try the patience of a saint (= are very annoying) .

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

try

[tra͟ɪ]

tries, trying, tried
1) VERB If you try to do something, you want to do it, and you take action which you hope will help you to do it.
  [V to-inf] He secretly tried to block her advancement in the Party...
  [V to-inf] Try to make the effort to work your way through all of your tasks one at a time...
  [V adv] Does it annoy you if others do things less well than you would, or don't seem to try hard enough?...
  [V -ing] I tried calling him when I got here but he wasn't at home...
  No matter how bad you feel, keep trying.
N-COUNT
Try is also a noun. It wasn't that she'd really expected to get any money out of him; it had just seemed worth a try... After a few tries Patrick had given up any attempt to reform his brother.
2) VERB To try and do something means to try to do it. [INFORMAL]
  [V and inf] He has started a privatisation programme to try and win support from the business community...
  [V and inf] I must try and see him.
3) VERB If you try for something, you make an effort to get it or achieve it.
  [V for n] My partner and I have been trying for a baby for two years...
  [V for n] He said he was going to try for first place next year.
4) VERB If you try something new or different, you use it, do it, or experience it in order to discover its qualities or effects.
  [V n] It's best not to try a new recipe for the first time on such an important occasion...
  [V n] I've tried everything from herbal cigarettes to chewing gum...
  [V -ing] I have tried painting the young shoots with weed poisoner, but this does not kill them off.
N-COUNT: usu sing
Try is also a noun. If you're still sceptical about exercising, we can only ask you to trust us and give it a try.
5) VERB If you try a particular place or person, you go to that place or person because you think that they may be able to provide you with what you want.
  [V n] Have you tried the local music shops?
6) VERB If you try a door or window, you try to open it.
  [V n] Bob tried the door. To his surprise it opened.
7) VERB When a person is tried, he or she has to appear in a law court and is found innocent or guilty after the judge and jury have heard the evidence. When a legal case is tried, it is considered in a court of law.
  [be V-ed for n] He suggested that those responsible should be tried for crimes against humanity...
  [be V-ed] Whether he is innocent or guilty is a decision that will be made when the case is tried in court...
  [V n] The military court which tried him excluded two of his lawyers...
  [V n] Why does it take 253 days to try a case of fraud?
8) N-COUNT In the game of rugby, a try is the action of scoring by putting the ball down behind the goal line of the opposing team.
  The French, who led 21-3 at half time, scored eight tries.
9) → See also tried, trying
10) PHRASE: with neg, it v-link PHR, PHR with cl If you say that something fails but not for want of trying or not for lack of trying, you mean that everything possible was done to make it succeed.
  Not all is perfect, but it isn't for want of trying.
11) to try your best → see best
to try your hand → see hand
to try your luck → see luck
to try someone's patience → see patience
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - try on
  - try out
  - try out for

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹try /ˈtraɪ/ verb tries; tried; try·ing
1 : to make an effort to do something : to attempt to accomplish or complete something

[no obj]

• I don't know if I can do it, but I'll try.
• Keep trying. You can do it.
• You can do it if you try hard enough.
• “He said he can beat you.” “I'd like to see him try!”
• I tried, but I just couldn't do it.
• “She's not in the office now.” “OK. I'll try again later.”
• If you don't succeed the first time, try, (and) try again.
• He still hasn't found a job, but it is not for lack/want of trying. [=he has been trying to find a job but he has not found one]

[+ obj]

• I tried my best/hardest [=I tried very hard, I did everything that I could do], but I just couldn't do it.
- often followed by to + verb
• He tried to move the sofa by himself.
• Please try not to make any noise.
• I was only trying to help!
• You should try to exercise more.
- often followed by and + verb
• Try and relax.
• Try and think of another example. synonyms see¹attempt
2 [+ obj] : to do or use (something) in order to see if it works or will be successful
• I don't know where she is. Try calling her on her cell phone.
• Try her cell phone.
• He tried a few things to remove the stain, but nothing worked.
• Try (pressing) that button.
• Did you try restarting the computer?
• If you want to lose weight, try exercising more.
• She tried a karate move on him.
• He tried the switch, and the lights flickered on.
• I tried (opening) the door, but it was locked.
• No, we don't sell those. Try the store across the street.
• I tried several hotels, but there were no rooms available.
- often + out
• If you can't solve the problem, you should try out a different approach.
3 [+ obj]
a : to do or use (something) in order to find out if you like it
• He never wants to try anything new.
• I tried skiing for the first time last winter.
• Have you ever tried teaching?
- often + out
• He decided to try the car out.
• She has tried out many different jobs but can't find one she likes.
b : to taste (food or drink) to find out what it is like
• You should try the cake. It's excellent.
• “Would you like to try some caviar?” “Sure—I'll try anything once.”
• Try a little bite.
4 [+ obj] : to test how good, strong, etc., something or someone is
• “These are the times that try men's souls.” Thomas Paine, “The Crisis” (1776) -
• “Oh, you probably don't know the answer!” “Try me.” [=ask me the question]
• You are trying my patience. [=you are making me lose my patience and become angry]
5 [+ obj]
a : to examine and make a decision about (a legal case) - usually used as (be) tried
• The case was tried in a federal court.
b : to have a trial to decide if someone is innocent or guilty - usually used as (be) tried for
• He was tried for murder. [=he was put on trial for murder]
try for [phrasal verb] try for (something) : to make an attempt or effort to get (something)
• You've already won $100. Do you want to try for more?
• He tried for second place but finished third instead.
• She tried for the job and got it.
• They have been trying for a baby [=trying to have a baby] for several years.
try it on Brit informal
1 : to behave badly so that someone becomes annoyed or angry - often + with
• Don't take any notice of him—he's only trying it on with you.
2 : to try to start a sexual relationship with someone - often + with
• He tried it on with a girl at the pub.
try on [phrasal verb] try on (something) or try (something) on : to put on (a piece of clothing, a pair of shoes, etc.) in order to see how it fits and looks
• This is the fifth dress you've tried on.
• Try this shoe on for size. [=put on this shoe to see if it is the correct size]
try out [phrasal verb] chiefly US : to compete for a position on an athletic team or a part in a play
• She tried out [=auditioned] and got the lead role.
- often + for
• He tried out for the golf team.
- see also ¹try 2, 3 (above), tryout
try your damnedest
- see damnedest
try your hand
- see ¹hand
try your luck
- see ¹luck