| English Dictionary |
TRIAL-AND-ERROR
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| 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 eliminated
2. relating to solving problems by experience rather than theory
Familiarity information: TRIAL-AND-ERROR used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
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)
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