try

Try is a polysemous word in English, primarily used as a verb meaning to make an effort to do something or to attempt. It can also mean to test or examine something in order to determine its quality, reliability, or suitability. In practical usage, try often implies ongoing effort rather than guaranteed success. As a noun, a "try" denotes an attempt or effort, as in "give it a try." The phrase "try out" means to test something or someone to assess suitability.

In sports, a "try" is a method of scoring in rugby union and rugby league. A grounding of the ball in the opponent's in-goal area yields a try; its point value varies by variant—five points in rugby union (with conversions afterward) and four points in rugby league (with subsequent kicks possible).

In computing, "try" appears in error-handling constructs, such as a "try" block that contains code to be executed and may be followed by a "catch" or "except" clause to handle exceptions.

In legal contexts, to "try" a case means to hear and decide it in court; the noun "trial" is more common for the proceedings themselves.

Phrases illustrate its broad usage: "to try someone's patience," "to try out a product," or "to give it a try." The word's versatility reflects its core idea of testing, attempting, and judging outcomes.