K5Print Free printable worksheets for K–5

try

  • verb
  • trī

To attempt; to endeavour. Followed by infinitive.

Example

“I tried to rollerblade, but I couldn’t.”

Other meanings

  1. To separate (precious metal etc.) from the ore by melting; to purify, refine.

  2. To winnow; to sift; to pick out; frequently followed by out.

Synonyms

  • seek
  • attempt
  • essay

Example sentences

  • “Don't try to walk before you can crawl.”

    Tatoeba · deniko · CC0

  • “I'll try and find a specific example.”

    Tatoeba · shekitten · CC0

  • “Try listening to a book to distract yourself.”

    Tatoeba · \N · CC0

Word history

From Old French "trier" (to choose, pick out or separate from others, sift, cull).

Where this comes from

This definition is adapted from “try” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; example sentences are from Tatoeba, credited to their authors above; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.