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Glite Dictionary
first attempt

first attempt

23 1.9
A first try to do something new
  • noun
translation icon : primer intento
  • I think for a first attempt, we did well.
  • first attempt to represent
  • one of the first attempts
  • first attempt to study

I think for a first attempt, we did well.

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Examples

  • And clearly the first attempt was a complete disaster in every way, shape and form.

  • This is Nate's first attempt at parking the RV.

  • Sorry, this is his first attempt at writing back to her.

  • On day two, we were ready to make our first attempt at contact.

    Malibu Horror Story (2023)

  • This is our first attempt.

    The Midas Touch (2020)

  • Actually, it's my first attempt.

    Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)

  • To my knowledge, this study represents the first attempt at investigating this important subject.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The present study is the first attempt to explore the SCM from a sport marketing perspective.

    Academic text (2008)

  • I'm no balloon expert, but it's not bad for a first attempt, aye?

    Crispy's Curse (2017)

  • Considering all factors, it was a strong result for our first attempt at organizing the event.

Synonyms

first time
vsfirst attempt
∞ 1.0

An occasion when someone does or experiences something they have not done before

refers to the initial effort made to do it rather than the occasion

Antonyms

last-ditch
23 7.0

A final attempt to succeed when nothing else works

How Early

first attempt
23 1.9
second chance
223 2.3

Surface Forms

first attempt singular
first attempts plural

Morphology

first + attempt

The phrase 'first attempt' is directly compositional: 'first' (initial) modifies 'attempt' (an act of trying), so the meaning 'initial effort' is immediately derivable from the constituents. This adjective+noun pattern is common across languages and standard in English, so a B1 learner who knows both words will understand the MWE.

Etymology

First attempt is a simple picture: the first time you attempt something is your early try, often full of mistakes but also learning. So it means 'the initial try'.