attempt

American  

[uh-tempt] / əˈtɛmpt /

verb (used with object)

1. to make an effort at; try; undertake; seek.

   to attempt an impossible task; to attempt to walk six miles.

2. Archaic. to attack; move against in a hostile manner.

   to attempt a person's life.

3. Archaic. to tempt.

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noun

1. an effort made to accomplish something.

   He made an attempt to swim across the lake.

   Synonyms:

   endeavor, try

2. an attack or assault.

   an attempt upon the leader's life.

attempt British  

/ əˈtɛmpt /

verb

1. to make an effort (to do something) or to achieve (something); try

2. to try to surmount (an obstacle)

3. to try to climb

   they will attempt the north wall of the Eiger

4. archaic to attack

5. archaic to tempt

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noun

1. an endeavour to achieve something; effort

2. a result of an attempt or endeavour

3. an attack, esp with the intention to kill

   an attempt on his life

Usage

What does attempt mean? An attempt is an effort made to complete a task, as in My attempt to go to the concert failed when my car broke down.To attempt means to try to complete a task, as in When Riddhi attempted to run to better her health, she found that she really enjoyed it too.When you attempt something, you are making some kind of effort, whether or not you succeed. To attempt is to try.Example: Louise attempted to make bread, but she forgot to add yeast to the recipe.

Related Words

See try.

Other Word Forms

• attemptability noun
• attemptable adjective
• attempter noun
• quasi-attempt verb
• reattempt verb (used with object)
• unattemptable adjective
• unattempted adjective
• unattempting adjective
• well-attempted adjective

Etymology

Origin of attempt

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Anglo-French atempter from Latin attemptāre “to test, tamper with.” See at-, tempt

Example Sentences

“And . . . if there’s enough thought and effort put into this attempt . . . it will not hurt the family, it will not hurt the work, but they can function very nicely together. I’m proving it.”

From Salon

The prime minister arrived in Japan after his four-day trip to China, in which he attempted to reboot the UK's relationship with Beijing.

From BBC

Over that time, Venezuela has been roiled by civic unrest, the exodus of eight million citizens and an attempted coup in 2002.

From The Wall Street Journal

One source said: "I think it would be foolish to attempt a group photo let's put it like that."

From BBC

But agonisingly he fell at the last hurdle in 2021 as he attempted to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete a calendar Grand Slam.

From Barron's

Related Words

• attack
• bid
• endeavor
• experiment
• pursuit
• shot
• struggle
• try