attempt

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.

“Attempt” is pronounced uh-TEHMPT (/əˈtɛmpt/ in IPA).

Here is “attempt” used in a sentence: “He attempted the marathon despite his injury.”

Words with a similar meaning to “attempt” include take a stab at, take a run at, essay, assay, seek and effort.

Depending on how it is used, “attempt” can be a verb and a noun.

The word “attempt” comes from Latin. From Old French atempter, from Latin attemptare, "to try, to test," from ad- ("toward") plus temptare ("to test").

“Attempt” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Attempt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to try to do something, especially something difficult, without guaranteed success.

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.

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.

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.

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.