Word · CEFR A2 · Frequency #3147
essay
尝试；试图
to make an effort or attempt; to try
- 1.
To move forth, as into battle.
向前移动,如进入战斗。
- 2.
make an effort or attempt
努力或尝试
前进；出征；向前移动,如进入战斗。；努力或尝试；试图
In use
He essayed a smile despite his nervousness.
She is essaying to climb the steep mountain.
He always essays to finish his work ahead of schedule.
The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps
Verb forms
base essay · third person essays · -ing essaying · past essayed · past participle essayed
规则动词，注意与名词 essay 区分。
Connections
Collocations
- essay to do something
- 尝试做某事
- He essayed to explain his decision but failed to convince anyone.他试图解释自己的决定，但没有说服任何人。
- essay a smile
- 勉强露出微笑
- Despite her nerves, she essayed a smile at the audience.尽管紧张，她还是对观众勉强露出一丝微笑。
- essay a task
- 尝试完成一项任务
- The team essayed the difficult task with great caution.团队非常谨慎地尝试完成这项艰巨的任务。
- essay a reply
- 试着回答
- He essayed a reply, but his voice faltered.他试着回答，但声音发颤。
Synonyms
- attempt
- 尝试，试图 · 与 essay 同义，语气稍正式，常后接不定式或名词，可直接替代。
Learner notes
Memory Tip
把 essay 想成 'e-say'：先轻声‘诶’，再说出来试试——essay 意为尝试、向前进。
Context & Register
语域：formal 常见场景：formal writing、literary prose 动词 essay 通常用于正式或文学语境，表示“尝试、试图”，口语中很少使用；日常表达更常见 try 或 attempt。
Pronunciation & Spelling
The verb 'essay' is pronounced /ɛˈseɪ/, so the words above all rhyme with it (stressed /eɪ/). Note that the noun 'essay' is /ˈɛseɪ/ with first-syllable stress and does not rhyme with this group; also beware of the lookalike 'assay' (/əˈseɪ/ for verb, /ˈæseɪ/ for noun), which has different vowel sounds and meaning.
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 2，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.