trying
/ˈtɹaɪ.ɪŋ/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: tryings
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Difficult to endure; arduous.
Adjective
Examples
"Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a little trying to do so much typewriting?"
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Irritating, stressful or bothersome.
Adjective
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
The act by which one tries something; an attempt.
Noun
Examples
In a variety of places, O'Shaughnessy argues that there is an internal relation between trying and the events that tryings produce. For example, he argues that tryings are not independently specifiable except as would-be causes of physical events.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “trying” mean?
Difficult to endure; arduous.
Is “trying” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.