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attempt

uh-TEMPT/əˈtɛmpt/

Pluralattempts

Verbattempts, attempting, attempted

7 meanings of attempt

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  1. 1
    an effortnouncountable
    An effort to do or achieve something.

    Her first attempt at baking a cake went badly.

    After three attempts, he finally solved the riddle.

    UsageSay make an attempt, an attempt to do something, or an attempt at something.

    Similareffort, try, bid, endeavor

  2. 2
    to tryverbtransitive
    To try to do something.

    Like reaching for something on a high shelf to see if you can grab it.

    I will attempt the puzzle after dinner.

    She attempted to fix the bike by herself.

    UsageSay attempt to do something. In everyday talk, people usually say try.

    Note
  3. 3
    offense (law)nouncountable or uncountable
    A serious but failed try to commit a crime.

    Firing at someone and missing is still an attempt in the eyes of the law.

    In many places, the law punishes attempts less harshly than finished crimes.

    UsageOften with no a or the: a charge of attempt.

    Note
  4. 4
    try to killnouncountable
    A violent attack meant to hurt or kill someone, often an important person.

    The attempt on the mayor's life shocked the whole town.

    During the parade, a man made an attempt on the governor's life.

    UsageSay an attempt on someone's life.

    Similarattack, assault

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    suicidenouncountable
    An act of trying to end one's own life.

    The clinic supports patients recovering from a suicide attempt.

    She survived a suicide attempt and now helps others who feel hopeless.

    UsageUsually a suicide attempt.

  2. 6
    storm a placeverbarchaic
    To attack someone or something and try to beat it or take it.
    without attempting his adversary’s life
    1830, John Motley, The Rise of the Dutch RepublicHere, attempting means attacking, or trying to take by force.
    to attempt the enemy’s camp
    Note
  3. 7
    verbobsolete
    To try to sway someone by pleading or by tempting them.
    It made the laughter of an afternoon / That Vivien should attempt the blameless king.
    1859, Alfred Tennyson, “Vivien”Here, attempt means try to tempt or sway someone into doing wrong.
    Yet since I see you fearful, that neither my coat, integrity, nor persuasion can with ease attempt you, I will go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you.
    c. 1603, William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”
    Note

Practice

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Origin

This word came into English in the late 1300s from Old French atempter, which came from Latin attemptō meaning "I try." It is built from Latin ad ("to") plus a verb meaning "to try."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

  • The word entered English in the late 1300s from Old French atempter, ultimately from Latin attemptō. en.wiktionary.org
  • Latin attemptō means 'I try'. en.wiktionary.org
  • The Latin formation combines ad with the verb tentō or its variant temptō. en.wiktionary.org
  • The underlying Latin verb temptō, whose infinitive is temptāre, means 'to try'. en.wiktionary.org