- 1 [intransitive, transitive] to make an attempt or effort to do or get something I don't know if I can come but I'll try. try to do something What are you trying to do? I tried hard not to laugh. You haven't even tried to find it. Don't try to do it too quickly. try your best/hardest (to do something) She tried her best to solve the problem. Just try your hardest. In spoken English try can be used with and plus another verb, instead of with to and the infinitive:I'll try and get you a new one tomorrow.Try and finish quickly.In this structure, only the form try can be used, not tries, trying, or tried.
- 2
[transitive] to use, do, or test something in order to see if it is good, suitable, etc. try something Have you tried this new coffee? It's very good. “Would you like to try some raw fish?” “Why not? I'll try anything once!” Have you ever tried windsurfing? Try these shoes for size—they should fit you. She tried the door, but it was locked. try doing something John isn't here. Try calling his home number. Notice the difference between try to do something and try doing something:You should try to eat more fruit.means “You should make an effort to eat more fruit.”You should try eating more fruit.means “You should see if eating more fruit will help you” (to feel better, for example).
- 3 [transitive] to examine evidence in court and decide whether someone is innocent or guilty try somebody (for something) He was tried for murder. try something The case was tried before a jury. Idioms
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NAmE//traɪ//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they try he / she / it tries
past simple tried
-ing form trying
to try as hard as you can (to do something) She did her damnedest to get it done on time.
to do as much as you can to try to achieve something
used to say that although someone has not succeeded in something, they have tried very hard They haven't won a game yet, but it isn't for want of trying.
to do something such as an activity or a sport for the first time
to do something that involves risk or luck, hoping to succeed My grandparents emigrated to Canada to try their luck there.
to make someone feel impatient His stubbornness would try the patience of a saint. Phrasal Verbstry fortry ontry outtry out for
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