# attempt

> English word · Verb · IPA /əˈtɛmpt/ · frequency rank #1,476

## Definitions
1. To try.
2. To try to move, by entreaty, by afflictions, or by temptations; to tempt.
3. To try to win, subdue, or overcome.
4. To attack; to make an effort or attack upon; to try to take by force.
5. To make a substantial but unsuccessful effort (to commit a crime).

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd
Proto-Italic *ad
Proto-Italic *ad-
Latin ad-
Latin temptō
Latin attemptōder.
Old French atempterbor.
Middle English attempten
English attempt
Late 14th century, as Middle English attempten, from Old French atempter, from Latin attemptō (“to try, solicit”), from ad- (“to”) + temptō; see tempt.
The noun is from the 1530s, the sense "an assault on somebody's life, assassination attempt" (French attentat) is from 1580.

## Easily confused with
- **attest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/attempt-vs-attest)
- **attempts** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/attempt-vs-attempts)
- **attempted** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/attempt-vs-attempted)

## Common misspellings (9)
`atempt`, `atetmpt`, `attemmpt`, `attemppt`, `attemptt`, `attemtp`, `attepmt`, `attmept`, `tatempt`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/attempt