Attempt
/əˈtɛmpt/
verbBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Idiom
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
To make an effort to do or achieve something.
/əˈtɛmpt/
verbneutralBeginner
General
To try to do something, especially something difficult.
He attempted to climb Mount Everest.
💡 Simply: To try to do something.
More Examples
2
They attempted a daring escape.
How It's Used
General
"She attempted to solve the puzzle."
Sports
"He attempted a three-pointer."
2
An act of trying to do something.
/əˈtɛmpt/
nounneutralBeginner
General
An effort to do something, especially something difficult.
This is my first attempt at baking a cake.
💡 Simply: A try.
More Examples
2
Their attempt to reach the summit was unsuccessful.
How It's Used
General
"His attempt to fix the car failed."
Tip:An attempt is a try.
Idioms & expressions
make an attempt
To try to do something.
"He made an attempt to open the door."
From Old French *atempter, from Latin *temptāre "to try, test, touch".
The word 'attempt' has been used in a similar sense since the Middle Ages.
Memory tip
Think of 'tempt' – tempting fate by trying something risky.
Practice
attemtatemp
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written