trial and error

(noun) experimenting until a solution is found. Synonyms: trial and error.

(adj) trying out various means or theories until error is satisfactorily reduced or eliminated. Synonyms: trial-and-error. Example: "He argued that all learning is a trial-and-error process that resembles biological evolution."

(adj) relating to solving problems by experience rather than theory. Synonyms: trial-and-error. Example: "They adopted a trial-and-error procedure."