attempts
English meaning: Attempts
Definition
The action of trying at something.
Example
“It was worth the attempt.”
Another example: “After several failed attempts, she finally passed her driving test.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Plural of 'attempt', a noun for an effort to do something, often when success is uncertain ('made several attempts'). Neutral register, common in everyday and formal writing. Often followed by 'to' or 'at'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'attemptare' (to try, attack), from 'ad-' plus 'temptare' (to try), via Old French, entering English in the 14th century.
Synonyms
- efforts
- tries
- endeavours
- bids
- ventures
Related Words
Common Collocations
- repeated attempts
- several attempts
- failed attempts
- made attempts
- desperate attempts
Word Forms
attempt (n & v); attempts (pl); attempted; attempting
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B