try on
TRY ON
/traɪ ɒn/
To put on a piece of clothing to see if it fits or looks good.
This is a literal action of testing a garment, distinct from 'wear,' which implies having the clothes on for a duration.
The story behind the word. This phrasal verb combines 'try' (from the Old French 'trier,' meaning to pick out or sift) with 'on.' It captures the experimental nature of shopping, where we 'sift' through options by placing them 'on' our bodies to see which one works best.
Word relationships
- test: More clinical and less specific to clothing.
- sample: Usually refers to food or small portions of a product.
Commonly confused with
- put on: 'Put on' is the simple act of dressing, while 'try on' is an experimental act to check fit.
Word family
- tried on (verb): Past tense of try on.
- trying on (verb): Present participle of try on.
Collocations
- try on for size
- try on a jacket
- try on several pairs
Example sentences
- "Always try on jeans before buying them, as sizing can vary wildly between different brands." A shopping advice column.
- "She began to try on the various hats, looking at herself in the mirror with a critical eye." A classic literary reference to the act of testing clothes.
Memory hook
You 'try' the clothes 'on' your body. Try it on for size.
When not to use
Do not use 'try on' for testing non-clothing items like electronics; use 'try out' or 'test' instead.
Fun facts
- The average person tries on at least three items for every one item they actually purchase.
Related words
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