What does “try” mean?
- 1
verbto make an effort to do something
I’ll try to finish by five.
- 2
verbto test or taste something to see if you like it
You should try this cake.
- 3
nounan attempt to do something
I couldn’t open it, but give it a try.
Try at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb & noun
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /traɪ/ · TRY
- Forms
- tried, tries
How to use “try” correctly
“Try to do” means make an effort; “try doing” means test a method: “Try restarting your computer.”
Common phrases with “try”
- try your best
- try on
- give sth a try
- try hard
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- attempt
- test
- sample
Word family
“try” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- begin verbA1to start doing something or to start happening
- break verbA1to make something separate into pieces or stop working
- bring verbA1to take someone or something with you to a place
- build verbA1to make a building or other structure by putting parts together
- change verbA1to become different, or make someone or something different
- check verbA1to look at something to see if it is correct, safe or as it should be
- close verbA1to shut something, or to stop being open
- come verbA1to move toward the speaker or the place being talked about