attempt

[ uh-tempt ]
/ əˈtɛmpt /

verb (used with object)

to make an effort at; try; undertake; seek: to attempt an impossible task; to attempt to walk six miles.
Archaic. to attack; move against in a hostile manner: to attempt a person's life.
Archaic. to tempt.

noun

an effort made to accomplish something: He made an attempt to swim across the lake.
an attack or assault: an attempt upon the leader's life.

Origin of attempt

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French atempter < Latin attemptāre to test, tamper with. See at-, tempt

SYNONYMS FOR attempt

1 See try.
4 try, endeavor.

OTHER WORDS FROM attempt

Example sentences from the Web for attempt

British Dictionary definitions for attempt

attempt
/ (əˈtɛmpt) /

verb (tr)

noun

Derived forms of attempt

attemptable, adjective attempter, noun

Word Origin for attempt

C14: from Old French attempter, from Latin attemptāre to strive after, from tentāre to try

usage for attempt

Attempt should not be used in the passive when followed by an infinitive: attempts were made to find a solution (not a solution was attempted to be found)