trial-and-error

trial and error

n.

A method of reaching a correct solution or satisfactory result by trying out various means or theories until error is sufficiently reduced or eliminated.

---

trial-and-error (trl-n-rr, trl-) adj.

Thesaurus

Adj.	1.	trial-and-error - trying out various means or theories until error is satisfactorily reduced or eliminated; "he argued that all learning is a trial-and-error process that resembles biological evolution" empirical, empiric - derived from experiment and observation rather than theory; "an empirical basis for an ethical theory"; "empirical laws"; "empirical data"; "an empirical treatment of a disease about which little is known"
	2.	trial-and-error - relating to solving problems by experience rather than theory; "they adopted a trial-and-error procedure" heuristic - of or relating to or using a general formulation that serves to guide investigation