Try Meaning
Try Definition & Usage
To attempt or make an effort to do something.
Examples
- "I will try to finish the project by tomorrow."
- "She tried her best to learn the piano, but it was difficult."
- "They tried to reach the summit, but the weather turned bad."
- "Try asking for help if you're stuck on the problem."
- "He tried unsuccessfully to fix the car engine."
To test something, often in a trial or experimental manner.
Examples
- "She tried on the dress before buying it."
- "Try this new app; I think you’ll like it."
- "He tried different strategies to solve the puzzle."
- "The team is trying out new methods to increase efficiency."
- "I’m going to try a new recipe tonight for dinner."
To attempt something difficult or uncertain, often with a sense of personal challenge or courage.
Examples
- "I think I'll try skydiving for my birthday this year."
- "He's always willing to try something new, no matter how risky."
- "She tried speaking in front of the audience, despite her fear."
- "They tried hiking up the steep mountain trail, but it was too exhausting."
- "You should try standing up for yourself more often."
Cultural Context
The verb 'try' has a long history, evolving from the Old French word 'trier' (to pick or sift), which in turn comes from the Latin 'trigare' (to thresh). Over time, it developed its modern meaning of attempting or testing something. In daily English use, it reflects a universal human experience of effort, testing, and challenge.
The Big Try
Story
The Big Try
Maria had always been a cautious person, preferring stability over the unknown. But when she found herself at the edge of the cliff, looking out over the vast expanse of the ocean below, something stirred in her. For years, her friends had been urging her to try bungee jumping, but she had always hesitated, fearing the rush of adrenaline. Today, however, she felt a shift inside her. Maybe it was the birthday wish she'd made the night before, or the realization that life was too short to play it safe all the time. 'Are you ready?' the instructor asked, adjusting the harness around her waist. Maria nodded, though she could feel the pounding of her heart in her chest. 'It’s just a quick jump,' he assured her. 'You’re going to love it. Just try it once, and if you don’t like it, you don’t have to do it again.' As Maria stood at the edge, looking down at the world below, she hesitated. It felt like the entire world was holding its breath. But then, as if to quiet the storm inside her, she took a deep breath and jumped. The rush of air and the feeling of weightlessness were unlike anything she had ever experienced. When she finally bounced back up, heart still racing, she was filled with exhilaration. She had tried something new and survived, and in that moment, she felt alive in a way she had never felt before. Afterward, as she sat with her friends, her face still flushed from the experience, one of them turned to her and asked, 'So, are you glad you tried it?' Maria grinned. 'Absolutely. I think I might even try it again next year.' But the experience had given her something more than just a story to tell. It had opened her eyes to the possibilities of the world around her, and now she found herself more willing to try new things, whether it was skydiving, exploring unfamiliar places, or learning how to play the guitar. She was no longer afraid of failure because she had learned that trying was more important than succeeding. And in that lesson, she found a new version of herself, a person who would never stop trying.
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