try out

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

try out verb (adverb)

1. (transitive) to test or put to experimental use
2. when intr, usually followed by for: (of an athlete, actor, etc) to undergo a test or to submit (an athlete, actor, etc) to a test to determine suitability for a place in a team, an acting role, etc

noun tryout

1. a trial or test, as of an athlete or actor

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

try /traɪ/   v., tried, try•ing, n., pl. tries. 
v. 

1. to attempt to do or accomplish: [~ + to  + verb]
   He tried to run, but he soon got tired.
   [~ + verb-ing]
   Try running a mile a day.
   [no object]
   You must try harder if you want to succeed.
   [~ + and + root form of verb]
   We'll try and do that again.
2. to test the effect or result of: [~ + object]
   He tried each button, but nothing worked.
   [~ (+ out) + object]
   He tried (out) a new recipe for chicken.
   [~ + object (+ out)]
   He tried it (out).
3. to attempt to open (a door, etc.) to find out whether it is locked:
   [~ + object] He tried every door, one after the other.
4. to sample or taste to evaluate or judge:
   [~ + object] to try a new food.
5. Law to examine and decide on something, as in a court of law, esp. to determine the guilt or innocence of (a person):
   [~ + object] The state tried him for murder.
6. to put to a severe test:
   [~ + object] She is trying my patience with her chatter.
7. try on, to put on an article of clothing to judge how well it fits: [~ + object + on]
   Try this jacket on.
   [~ + on + object]
   She tried on every jacket in the store.
8. try out, [no object] to compete for a role, as by taking part in a test or trial:
   tried out for the swim team.

n. [countable]

9. an attempt or effort:
   We'll give it another try.

Usage

Sometimes there is a difference in meaning when try is followed by to + verb as compared to when it is followed by verb-ing. One meaning of
My friend tried to run five miles a day
is that my friend made an attempt to run five miles a day but did not always succeed in doing so. In the sentence
My friend tried running five miles a day,
the impression is that my friend did in fact run five miles a day, perhaps as a way of losing weight or staying (or getting) fit.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

try  (trī), v., tried, try•ing, n., pl. tries. 
v.t. 

1. to attempt to do or accomplish:
   Try it before you say it's simple.
2. to test the effect or result of (often fol. by out):
   to try a new method; to try a recipe out.
3. to endeavor to evaluate by experiment or experience:
   to try a new field; to try a new book.
4. to test the quality, value, fitness, accuracy, etc., of:
   Will you try a spoonful of this and tell me what you think of it?
5. Law to examine and determine judicially, as a cause;
   determine judicially the guilt or innocence of (a person).
6. to put to a severe test;
   subject to strain, as of endurance, patience, affliction, or trouble;
   tax:
   to try one's patience.
7. to attempt to open (a door, window, etc.) in order to find out whether it is locked:
   Try all the doors before leaving.
8. to melt down (fat, blubber, etc.) to obtain the oil;
   render (usually fol. by out).
9. [Archaic.]
   • to determine the truth or right of (a quarrel or question) by test or battle (sometimes fol. by out).
   • to find to be right by test or experience.

v.i. 

10. to make an attempt or effort;
    strive:
    Try to complete the examination.
11. Nautical, Naval Terms to lie to in heavy weather under just sufficient sail to head into the wind.
12. Idioms try it, that, etc., on, [Chiefly Brit. Informal.]
    • to put on airs:
      She's been trying it on ever since the inheritance came through.
    • to be forward or presumptuous, esp. with a member of the opposite sex:
      She avoided him after he'd tried it on with her.
13. try on, to put on an article of clothing in order to judge its appearance and fit:
    You can't really tell how it will look until you try it on.
14. try out, to use experimentally;
    test:
    to try out a new car.
15. try out for, to compete for (a position, membership, etc.):
    Over a hundred boys came to try out for the football team.

n. 

16. an attempt or effort:
    to have a try at something.
17. Sport [Rugby.] a score of three points earned by advancing the ball to or beyond the opponents' goal line.
18. give it the old college try, [Informal.] to make a sincere effort:
    I gave it the old college try and finally found an apartment.

• Anglo-French trier, Old French: to sift, cull, of uncertain origin, originally
• Middle English trien to try (a legal case) 1250–1300

Synonyms

• 1, 10. Try, attempt, endeavor, strive all mean to put forth an effort toward a specific end.
  Try is the most often used and most general term:
  to try to decipher a message; to try hard to succeed.
  Attempt, often interchangeable with try, sometimes suggests the possibility of failure and is often used in reference to more serious or important matters:
  to attempt to formulate a new theory of motion.
  Endeavor emphasizes serious and continued exertion of effort, sometimes aimed at dutiful or socially appropriate behavior:
  to endeavor to fulfill one's obligations.
  Strive, stresses persistent, vigorous, even strenuous effort, often in the face of obstacles:
  to strive to overcome a handicap.

Usage

10. Try followed by and instead of to has been in standard use since the 17th century:
The Justice Department has decided to try and regulate jury-selection practices.
The construction occurs only with the base form try, not with tries or tried or trying. Although some believe that try and is less formal than try to, both patterns occur in all types of speech and writing.