tried
- 01 A1 Beginner
v.the past tense of 'try', used when you made an effort to do something.
v.the past tense and past participle of 'try', indicating a past attempt or effort to achieve a goal.
Simple“I tried to call you three times yesterday, but your phone was off.”
In context“The research team tried several different chemical combinations before finally identifying the one that remained stable at room temperature.”
Synonymsattemptedendeavoured - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.tested and proven to be good or effective over a long time.
adj.having been tested and found to be reliable, effective, or trustworthy through experience.
Simple“Using a map is a tried and tested way to find your way in the woods.”
In context“The company relies on tried and trusted manufacturing techniques that have ensured the durability of their products for decades.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.having been officially judged in a court of law.
adj.having undergone a formal judicial examination or trial in a court of law.
Simple“The man was tried for the crime and found not guilty.”
In context“Under the current legal system, the defendant must be tried by a jury of their peers to ensure a fair and impartial verdict.”
Synonyms - 04 A2 Elementary
v.the past tense of 'try', meaning you tested something to see if it worked or if you liked it.
v.the past tense of 'try', used to indicate the act of testing the quality, effect, or appeal of something.
Simple“She tried the soup and decided it needed a little more salt.”
In context“The pilot tried the new navigation system during a short flight to ensure all the sensors were calibrated correctly.”
Usage tried to get · tried to make · tried to understand
“When I tried to contact some of these profiles using my own account, some of them directed me to the same WhatsApp numbers or email addresses.”
“Annie said she and her partner also tried to get their house chores done before about 10:00 "so I can sit still and stay cool the rest of the day".”
From Middle English tried, tryed, equivalent to try + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.