attempt
uh-TEHMPT
Attempt (verb) means to try to do something, especially something difficult, without guaranteed success. Example: “Few climbers attempt that route in winter because it is so dangerous.”
verb
1
To try to do something, especially something difficult, without guaranteed success.
"Few climbers attempt that route in winter because it is so dangerous."
"He attempted the marathon despite his injury."
"She attempted to fix the leak herself before calling a plumber."
noun
1
An effort to do something, especially one that may fail.
"After a failed attempt, she tried again the following morning."
"His first attempt at the exam didn't go well."
"The rescue attempt was called off due to bad weather."
How to use attempt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA try at doing something, with the outcome uncertain — used as both a verb and noun.
Common pairings
make an attempt
attempt to escape
a failed attempt
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Word forms
- Plural
- attempts
- Third person singular
- attempts
- Past tense
- attempted
- Archaic forms
- attemptest, attemptedst, attempteth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Few climbers _____ that route in winter because it is so dangerous.
Etymology
From Old French atempter, from Latin attemptare, "to try, to test," from ad- ("toward") plus temptare ("to test").
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “attempt” mean?
The word “attempt” means to try to do something, especially something difficult, without guaranteed success. In plain terms, a try at doing something, with the outcome uncertain — used as both a verb and noun.
How do you pronounce “attempt”?
“Attempt” is pronounced uh-TEHMPT (/əˈtɛmpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “attempt” in a sentence?
Here is “attempt” used in a sentence: “He attempted the marathon despite his injury.”
What is another word for “attempt”?
Words with a similar meaning to “attempt” include take a stab at, take a run at, essay, assay, seek and effort.
What part of speech is “attempt”?
Depending on how it is used, “attempt” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “attempt” come from?
The word “attempt” comes from Latin. From Old French atempter, from Latin attemptare, "to try, to test," from ad- ("toward") plus temptare ("to test").
Is “attempt” a common word?
“Attempt” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “attempt” have?
“Attempt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to try to do something, especially something difficult, without guaranteed success.
What is the difference between attempt and try?
Both mean to make an effort to do something, and they are usually interchangeable. 'Attempt' is slightly more formal and often implies a difficult or uncertain task, while 'try' is the everyday, more casual choice. You might attempt a dangerous climb but try a new recipe.
What is the difference between attempt and achieve?
To attempt something is to make the effort, with no guarantee of success. To achieve it is to actually succeed. You can attempt a goal many times before you achieve it, and some attempts fail entirely. Attempt describes the trying; achieve describes the result.
What is the opposite of attempt?
As a verb, opposites include give up, abandon, and not bother — declining to make the effort at all. Where attempting means setting out to do something despite the difficulty, its antonyms describe refusing to try or dropping the effort before starting.
What is an example of attempt in a sentence?
You might 'attempt to break a record,' 'attempt a difficult question on an exam,' or 'attempt to reach the summit before dark.' Each shows an effort aimed at something demanding, where success is possible but not assured — the heart of what 'attempt' conveys.
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