# analysis

/əˈnæɫəsəs/ (US) · /ɐnˈæləsˌɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/analysis
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. careful study

noun · CEFR B1 · Academic

the process of looking at something carefully to understand how it works or what it means.

For teachers: the detailed examination of the elements or structure of something, typically as a basis for discussion or interpretation.

- The teacher gave us a detailed analysis of the poem we read in class.
- A thorough analysis of the market trends suggests that consumer confidence is slowly returning to pre-recession levels.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'conduct', 'perform', or 'carry out'.

### 2. a report or result

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

a report or explanation that comes from studying something.

For teachers: a statement or report of the results of a detailed study.

- I read an interesting analysis of the election results in the newspaper.
- The final analysis provided by the consultants highlighted several structural weaknesses in the company's supply chain.

Usage: The plural form is 'analyses', pronounced with a long 'ee' sound at the end.

### 3. chemical testing

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

testing a substance to find out what it is made of.

For teachers: the process of separating a substance into its constituent parts to identify its composition.

- The lab sent back the analysis of the blood sample this morning.
- Chemical analysis revealed traces of heavy metals in the soil samples collected near the industrial site.

### 4. mathematics

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a branch of math that deals with limits and changing numbers.

For teachers: a branch of mathematics involving the theory of functions, sequences, and limits, originating from calculus.

- Students in the advanced math class are studying real analysis this semester.
- Functional analysis provides the mathematical framework necessary for understanding quantum mechanics and signal processing.

### 5. psychoanalysis

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

a way of treating mental health by talking about deep feelings and the past.

For teachers: a method of treating mental disorders by investigating the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements in the mind.

- He has been in analysis for two years to deal with his anxiety.
- The patient's progress in analysis was slow but steady as they uncovered repressed memories from early childhood.

## Examples

- We need to do a careful analysis of the sales data.
- The committee's analysis showed that the new policy would save the company thousands of dollars a year.
- Her comprehensive analysis of the voting patterns revealed a significant shift in demographics, challenging the established narrative of the previous election cycle.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
