trial and error

trial and error
noun
experimenting until a solution is found (Freq. 2)
• Hypernyms: ↑experiment, ↑experimentation

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noun
: a finding out of the best way to reach a desired result or a correct solution by trying out one or more ways or means and by noting and eliminating errors or causes of failure; also : the trying of this and that until something succeeds

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experimentation or investigation in which various methods or means are tried and faulty ones eliminated in order to find the correct solution or to achieve the desired result or effect.
[1800-10]

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trial and error phrase
a way of finding a good method that involves trying several possibilities and learning from your mistakes

I figured out how to use the new software by a process of trial and error.

Thesaurus: relating to learning and the process of learninghyponym general words for tests and testingsynonym
Main entry: trial

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trial and error,
1. a method of learning by trying out different responses to a new situation until one response is successful.
2. a method of arriving at a desired result by repeated experiments until past errors are eliminated.
–tri´al-and-er´ror, adjective.

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the process of experimenting with various methods of doing something until one finds the most successful

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trial and error
: a process in which you find out the best way to solve a problem, do something, etc., by trying different ways until one is successful

We often learn by/through trial and error.

• • •
Main Entry: ↑trial

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ˌtrial and ˈerror idiom
the process of solving a problem by trying various methods until you find a method that is successful

•

Children learn to use computer programs

by trial and error

.

Main entry: ↑trialidiom

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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