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try out

A2 neutral separable both
In simple words

To use or do something for the first time to see if you like it or if it works, or to audition for a team.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To test or use something for the first time to see if it works or if you like it.

"He tried out the new coffee machine on his first morning in the office."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

To participate in an audition or trial to see if you are good enough to join a team, show, or group.

"Over two hundred students tried out for the school musical."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 neutral

To use or practise a new skill, language, or technique in a real situation.

"I'm going to France next week — I can't wait to try out my French."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Very common in everyday English. Has two main uses: (1) testing a product, idea, or method, and (2) auditioning or competing for a place on a sports team or in a performance. In the sports/performance sense, it is often intransitive followed by 'for': 'she tried out for the team'.

Commonly used with

recipe idea product team role method

Forms

Base
try out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tries out
he/she/it
Past simple
tried out
yesterday
Past participle
tried out
have + pp
-ing form
trying out
continuous

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Synonyms

test out experiment with audition pilot road-test have a go at

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