Word
analyze
Phoneticsan·a·lyze, stress on the first syllable
/ˈænəˌɫaɪz/
UK spelling · analyse
Definition
v. to look at something very carefully to find out more about it.
v. to examine something methodically and in detail, typically in order to explain or interpret it.
Examples
“The scientists analyze the water samples to check for pollution.”
“The marketing team will analyze the recent sales data to see which products are performing best this quarter.”
“Before committing to the merger, the board hired an independent firm to analyze the competitor's financial liabilities and project their long-term market viability.”
Examples
simple
“The scientists analyze the water samples to check for pollution.”
contextual
“The marketing team will analyze the recent sales data to see which products are performing best this quarter.”
complex
“Before committing to the merger, the board hired an independent firm to analyze the competitor's financial liabilities and project their long-term market viability.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “analyze” in context.
Verb
01. analyse data
“Scientists need to carefully analyse data from the experiment before publishing their results.”
verb + noun
02. analyse effect
“The study aims to analyse the effect of social media on the mental health of teenagers.”
verb + noun
Usage
Often followed by a noun phrase representing the object of study; frequently used in passive constructions in academic writing.
Teaching tip
Note the spelling difference: 'analyze' is the standard American form, while 'analyse' is used in British English.
Real-World Examples
“With a flash of light, 2,000 photographs are taken of my body, in the hope of capturing every mark, freckle and mole to analyse for different skin cancers.” “Since 2008, Odgers has been working with 10- to 14-year-olds, extracting information every day from their phones, to analyse how they spend their time and how they are feeling.” Etymology
Probably formed within English, by back-formation, or by haplology from analysis + -ize, or from Middle French analyser, from the noun analyse, from Medieval Latin analysis, from Ancient Greek ἀνάλυσις (análusis, “a breaking up, a loosening, releasing”), from ἀναλύω (analúō, “to unloose, release, set free”), from ἀνά (aná, “on, up, above, throughout”) + λύσις (lúsis, “a loosening”), from λύω (lúō, “to unfasten”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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- Academic, American English
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