try

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To make an effort to do something.

   I tried to rollerblade, but I couldn't.

2. 2
   verb

   To use or do something to find out if it works or if you like it.

   I tried mixing more white paint to get a lighter shade.

3. 3
   verb

   To test someone's patience or strength.

   The children's constant noise was really trying my patience.

Common collocations

• try on Verb + preposition/particle
• try out Verb + preposition/particle
• try for Verb + preposition/particle

From Middle English trien (“to separate out, sift, choose, select, evaluate, try a legal case”), from Anglo-Norman trier, triher, triere (“to divide, separate, choose, select, prove, determine, try a case”), Old French trier (“to choose, pick out or separate from others, sift, cull”), of uncertain origin. Cognate with Occitan triar (“to choose, sort, scrutinise, peel”), Catalan triar (“to pick, choose, decide”). Suggested to be derived from Late Latin *trītāre (“to crush, grind, trample, wear out”), itself derived from Classical Latin trītus (“rubbed, worn down, pulverised”), the past particip…

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