tryout
B2Informal/Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A test to assess someone's suitability, particularly for a sports team or role.
A trial period or preliminary test to evaluate the performance, suitability, or potential of a person, method, or product.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a noun. Implies a competitive or evaluative context. Can refer to physical trials (sports, acting) or metaphorical ones (testing a product).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun 'tryout' is slightly more common in American English. The verb form 'to try out' is used in both varieties.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties, strongly associated with competitive selection processes.
Frequency
High frequency in sports and performance contexts in both UK and US English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have a tryout for [NP]give [NP] a tryout[NP]'s tryout went wellVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Give it a tryout”
- “Make the cut after the tryout”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A limited trial period for a new software system before full implementation.
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing; more common in descriptions of research methodology as a 'pilot study'.
Everyday
Referring to a child's attempt to join a local football team or drama club.
Technical
Used in sports science and coaching for player selection processes.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She decided to try out for the rugby sevens squad.
- You can try out the new bicycle path this weekend.
American English
- He's trying out for the varsity baseball team.
- We should try out that new burger place.
adjective
British English
- It was only a tryout session, but he played brilliantly.
- The tryout period for the new software ends next Friday.
American English
- The tryout camp for the basketball team is in July.
- She attended a tryout practice for the school play.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He has a football tryout tomorrow.
- The tryout was fun.
- She did well in the swimming tryouts and made the team.
- The company offered a two-week tryout for the new position.
- Despite a stellar tryout, the coach felt he needed more experience.
- The product failed its market tryout due to poor user feedback.
- The orchestra's tryout process is notoriously rigorous, involving blind auditions and multiple recall sessions.
- The policy underwent a tryout in several pilot regions before nationwide rollout.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
You TRY OUT to find OUT if you're good enough.
Conceptual Metaphor
SELECTION IS A TEST / SUITABILITY IS A MEASURABLE QUANTITY
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'пытаться' (to try/attempt). The noun 'tryout' is 'просмотр', 'проба', or 'испытательный срок'. The verb phrase 'to try out' is 'испытывать', 'пробовать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'tryout' as a verb (incorrect: 'I will tryout for the team'; correct: 'I will try out for the team').
- Confusing 'tryout' (event) with 'trial' (which can also mean a legal proceeding).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'tryout' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun, it is one word: 'tryout'. As a verb, it is a phrasal verb: 'to try out'.
They are very similar. 'Audition' is specific to performing arts (theatre, music). 'Tryout' is broader but is most common in sports; it can also be used for performing arts informally.
Yes, but it is informal. It describes a trial period for an employee or a test run for a product or process. More formal terms are 'probationary period' or 'pilot scheme'.
Yes, the plural is 'tryouts', e.g., 'The hockey tryouts are next week.'
Explore