try-hard

A try-hard is someone who tries too hard, putting in so much obvious effort that it becomes awkward or annoying. It is used in gaming for players who take casual matches too seriously, and everywhere else for people who are visibly straining to impress.

What does try-hard mean?

The problem isn’t effort itself, it is effort that doesn’t fit the situation. Practicing hard for a tournament is normal. Using every exploit to win a friendly game against beginners makes you a try-hard. Outside gaming, it is the person who quotes philosophy at a barbecue, or dresses for a gala when everyone else is in jeans.

It works as a noun (“he’s such a try-hard”) and as an adjective (“that’s a bit try-hard”).

How to use it

• “It’s a party game. Why are you being such a try-hard?”
• “His captions are so try-hard. Every post is a motivational speech.”
• “I’m not a try-hard, I just like winning.”
• “The band’s new look feels a bit try-hard.”

Try-hard vs. sweaty

In gaming they are nearly interchangeable. Sweaty is more specifically about intense gameplay, while try-hard is broader and applies to style, social media, school, work and pretty much anything else.

Related terms

• sweaty: playing with intense, over-the-top effort
• extra: over the top, dramatic
• cringe: embarrassing to watch
• basic: unoriginal, the opposite problem
• noob: a beginner

See more terms like this in our gaming slang dictionary.