What does tryst mean?
A tryst is a prearranged meeting, usually between two people who are romantically involved or wishing to meet privately. The word has a distinctive literary and slightly old-fashioned tone, making it more evocative than the neutral words meeting or appointment. It often implies secrecy and may suggest a meeting that carries emotional, erotic, or clandestine associations. A tryst can refer both to the arrangement itself and to the meeting that takes place. Historically, the word developed from an Old Norse term associated with faith, confidence, and trust, which explains its close relationship to English words such as trust, true, and troth. In modern writing, tryst is especially effective when the atmosphere of secrecy, anticipation, or romance is important. It is also appropriate in literary dialogue and descriptions of historical settings, though neutral terms are preferable when directness matters. The related verb is now archaic but appears in older or deliberately formal prose.
An arrangement or appointment to meet, especially a romantic or secret meeting between two people.
"The lovers arranged a tryst in the garden after midnight."
Literary and somewhat old-fashioned; often used to suggest romance, secrecy, or an air of anticipation.
To arrange or keep a meeting by appointment, especially a secret or romantic meeting.
"They trysted at the old gate."
Archaic and chiefly literary; the verb is rarely used in modern conversation.
The regular plural is trysts.
"Their secret trysts took place beside the river."
Tryst comes from an Old Norse word associated with trust and confidence: its romantic secrecy is newer than its roots in keeping faith.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tryst come from?
Tryst entered Middle English from Old Norse trast, a word associated with confidence, faith, and trust. It belongs to a wider Germanic family of words expressing faithfulness or confidence, including English trust, true, and troth. The modern sense developed from earlier uses associated with an appointed or mutually arranged meeting, with the romantic and clandestine associations becoming especially prominent in later usage.
Related word forms
How tryst is actually used
The noun is literary and somewhat old-fashioned, with especially strong associations in British English. It often suggests secrecy or romance. The verb is archaic and is chiefly encountered in formal or literary writing.
Easily confused with tryst
A tryst is an arranged meeting, usually romantic or clandestine, whereas trust is confidence in someone or something.