trial and error

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR trial and error ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

experimentation or investigation in which various methods or means are tried and faulty ones eliminated in order to find the correct solution or to achieve the desired result or effect.

Nearby words

triad, triad syndrome, triadelphous, triage, trial, trial and error, trial balance, trial balloon, trial by battle, trial by fire, trial court

Origin of trial and error

First recorded in 1800–10

Related forms

tri·al-and-er·ror, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for trial and error

Rock of Ages, on the other hand, was recorded at the perfect moment: after the trial-and-error period, before the decline.
The Band’s ‘Rock of Ages’ Is the Greatest Live Album Ever|Andrew Romano|October 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
From there, we subjected ourselves to a lot of trial-and-error.
Can the Internet Predict Elections?|Randall Lane|November 8, 2010|DAILY BEAST
How may we recognize this potential teacher without resorting to a clumsy, time-wasting, trial-and-error method?
Vocational Guidance for Girls|Marguerite Stockman Dickson
No trial-and-error, no baby hesitation with hand poised—just a sudden assured, controlled action.
The Short Life|Francis Donovan

Its use avoids the wastefulness of the trial-and-error method.
Sound Military Decision|U.s. Naval War College

British Dictionary definitions for trial and error

trial and error

noun

a method of discovery, solving problems, etc, based on practical experiment and experience rather than on theoryhe learned to cook by trial and error

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Culture definitions for trial and error

trial and error

To “proceed by trial and error” is to experiment, rejecting what does not work and adopting what does.

Idioms and Phrases with trial and error

trial and error

An attempt to accomplish something by trying various means until the correct one is found. for example, The only way to solve this problem is by trial and error. The error here alludes to the failed means or attempts, which are discarded until the right way is found. [c. 1800]