tryout
Americannoun
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tryouts
plural
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a trial or test to ascertain fitness for some purpose.
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Theater. performances of a play in preparation for an official opening, often taking place away from a major theatrical center.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of tryout
An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; noun use of verb phrase try out
Vocabulary lists containing tryout
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.
See Examples For:
Long before he became a top NFL draft prospect, Drew Mestemaker was a kid sitting in his childhood home, emailing colleges across the country to ask for a quarterback tryout.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
“That’s hard to do. But at many of these places, you can do a tryout and stay in a unit for a week,” said Horowitz.
From MarketWatch ● May 8, 2026
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
Cade York, who previously kicked for the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders, also reportedly was slated for a tryout in New Orleans.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 24, 2025
I haven’t been able to talk to Dylan since we found out his sister failed the tryout.
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
“Some of the people didn’t actually get to make it to tryouts, so there’s some people that are drafted that I haven’t even seen in person before. It’s all exciting.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026
Sitting in the center of the room, personally overseeing the tryouts, Wembanyama conducted a series of unusually loud job interviews—listening to chants, gauging volume and pressure-testing die-hard levels.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026
To revive his career, he joins open tryouts for a struggling college-football squad, disguising himself and changing his name to Chad Powers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2025
As each year’s tryouts get more competitive, Doucette sees his hope for the sport coming true.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2025
The first letter reads: Chuck Bell, the Los Angeles Lakers would like to invite you to our free-agent tryouts.
From "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander
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