Synonyms

tryout

American

[trahy-out] / ˈtraɪˌaʊt /

noun

a trial or test to ascertain fitness for some purpose.
Theater. performances of a play in preparation for an official opening, often taking place away from a major theatrical center.

Etymology

Origin of tryout

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; noun use of verb phrase try out

Vocabulary lists containing tryout

Selection Vocabulary 1, Unit 2

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But on the day it mattered most, she flubbed her tryout and failed to make the team.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

The show is inspired by a 2022 short video featuring an undercover Eli Manning as a walk-on at a Penn State football tryout.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

You see this guy’s arm, just like they did in Eli’s tryout video, you’re like, “That’s a pro arm, that’s an arm that deserves to go all the way.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2025

The Chargers brought in receiver Willie Snead IV for a veteran tryout.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2025

With the first tryout tomorrow, the only thing scheduled for Junior Agent trainees today is something called Supernatural Immersion.

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023