English Dictionary

TRIAL-AND-ERROR

Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

IPA (US): 

 Dictionary entry overview: What does trial-and-error mean? 

TRIAL-AND-ERROR (adjective)
  The adjective TRIAL-AND-ERROR has 2 senses:

1. trying out various means or theories until error is satisfactorily reduced or eliminatedplay

2. relating to solving problems by experience rather than theoryplay

  Familiarity information: TRIAL-AND-ERROR used as an adjective is rare.


 Dictionary entry details 


TRIAL-AND-ERROR (adjective)


Sense 1

Meaning:

Trying out various means or theories until error is satisfactorily reduced or eliminated

Context example:

he argued that all learning is a trial-and-error process that resembles biological evolution

Similar:

empiric; empirical (derived from experiment and observation rather than theory)


Sense 2

Meaning:

Relating to solving problems by experience rather than theory

Context example:

they adopted a trial-and-error procedure

Similar:

heuristic (of or relating to or using a general formulation that serves to guide investigation)


 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"There's no place like home." (English proverb)

"Who has no heart, has no heels." (Albanian proverb)

"There's no place like home." (American proverb)

"Even fleas want to cough." (Corsican proverb)



ALSO IN ENGLISH DICTIONARY:


© 2000-2023 AudioEnglish.org | AudioEnglish® is a Registered Trademark | Terms of use and privacy policy
Contact