test-drive

American  

[test-drahyv] / ˈtɛstˌdraɪv /

verb (used with object)

test-drives, present (3rd person singular) test-drove, past test-driven, past participle test-driving present participle

1. to drive (a vehicle) on the highway or a special track or route in order to evaluate performance and reliability.

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test-drive British  

verb

1. to drive (a car or other motor vehicle) for a limited period in order to assess its capabilities and limitations

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

• test-driving
  present
• test-driven
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• test-drive
  simple
• test-drives
  simple
• have test-driven
  perfect
• has test-driven
  perfect
• am test-driving
  progressive
• are test-driving
  progressive
• is test-driving
  progressive
• have been test-driving
  perfect progressive
• has been test-driving
  perfect progressive

Past

• test-drove
  simple
• had test-driven
  perfect
• was test-driving
  progressive
• were test-driving
  progressive
• had been test-driving
  perfect progressive

Future

• will test-drive
  simple
• will have test-driven
  perfect
• will be test-driving
  progressive
• will have been test-driving
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of test-drive

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

But despite offering a potential buyer the opportunity to test-drive the dwelling as a tenant, it appeared nobody took that bait as he later lowered both the rental and buying asking price.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Proton VPN is perfect for privacy purists and anyone who wants to test-drive a VPN without dropping cash.

From Salon • Feb. 11, 2026

A test-drive around the city’s busy streets for The Wall Street Journal this summer was smooth and didn’t require the driver to intervene.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

If you go to a used car dealership, you can test-drive the vehicle, but the dealership might not be familiar with Teslas and could inaccurately list its features.

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024

Mom was not allowed to test-drive the Piggy Bank Special before buying it.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls