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try

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verb American English pronunciation: try /traɪ/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theytry
he/she/ittries
present participletrying
past tensetried
past participletried
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [intransitive/transitive] to attempt to do something

    Don't try any of your tricks with me!

    I know she's not very helpful, but she does try.

    try to do something:

    Just try to stay calm.

    try and do something:

    I will try and get the report to you today.

    try doing something:

    She tried talking about it to Steve, but he wouldn't listen.

    try your best/hardest (to do something):

    Just try your hardest. I'm sure you'll be fine.

    try and try (=keep trying):

    Jamie tried and tried and eventually he got a job.

    try hard:

    We'll just have to try harder next time.

    try hard/desperately to do something:

    He was trying desperately not to laugh.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of try
    1. a.
      [transitive] to attempt to open something such as a door or window, especially in order to see whether it is locked

      I'm sure someone tried the door.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of try
  2. 2
    [transitive] to do something in order to find out what happens, or to find out whether something is good, appropriate, effective, etc.

    He tried seven different colors before finding the right one.

    try doing something:

    I want to try playing soccer this spring.

    Try adding cornstarch to thicken the sauce a bit.

    try something on someone:

    The drug isn't ready to be tried on humans yet.

    try something new/different (with something):

    Let's try something different with your hair this time.

    try anything once:

    "Would you like to go skydiving?" "I'll try anything once."

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of try
    1. a.
      if you try a food or drink, you taste it in order to find out whether you like it

      Have you tried these cookies?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of try
  4. 4
    [transitive] [usually passive] to judge a person or case in a court of law

    Franklin's case will be tried on August 25th.

    try someone for something:

    He was tried for murder and found guilty.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of try

phrases

See also

This is the American English definition of try. View British English definition of try.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

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