try

/traɪ/

Reviewed on

Also a noun

Meaning

  1. To make an effort or attempt to do something.

    • She will try to finish the entire report before the end of the day.

  2. To test or use something to discover its quality, value, or usefulness.

    • You should try the new software update to see if it fixes the issue.

  3. To formally examine evidence in a court of law to determine guilt.

    • The judge will try the case in federal court next month.

  4. To push someone's patience or endurance to its limits.

    • The constant disruptions in the classroom really try the teacher's patience.

How it's used

This means “judge in a court of law”

  • try the defendant

“try him.”

The state decided to try him for fraud.

Collocations

  • try hard
  • try your best
  • try a new approach
  • try a case

Synonyms

  • attempt
  • endeavor
  • sample
  • test
  • judge

Idioms

  • try your hand at

    to attempt an unfamiliar activity for the first time

    She decided to try her hand at baking artisan bread this weekend.

  • try someone's patience

    to test how much annoyance someone can tolerate

    The long delays began to try everyone's patience at the terminal.