examine
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to look at something very carefully to find information or check for problems.
v.to inspect or observe something with close attention to detail in order to determine its nature or condition.
Simple“The detective used a magnifying glass to examine the fingerprints on the desk.”
In context“Forensic experts spent several hours examining the crime scene for any trace evidence that might link the suspect to the location.”
Synonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
v.when a doctor looks at your body to see if you are healthy.
v.to perform a physical medical assessment on a patient to diagnose a condition or monitor health.
Simple“The doctor will examine your throat to see why it is sore.”
In context“The specialist examined the patient's reflexes and coordination to rule out any underlying neurological issues after the accident.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to test how much someone knows about a subject.
v.to evaluate the knowledge, skills, or qualifications of a candidate through a formal test.
Simple“The professor will examine the students on everything they learned this semester.”
In context“The board of examiners will examine each candidate's proficiency in both written theory and practical application before granting the license.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
v.to ask someone many questions in a formal way, like in a court of law.
v.to question a witness or suspect formally and closely, typically in a legal context.
Simple“The lawyer began to examine the witness about what she saw that night.”
In context“The prosecution spent the afternoon examining the lead investigator to establish a clear timeline of the events leading up to the arrest.”
Synonyms - 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a quick look or check of something.
n.the act of inspecting or checking something; used as a shortened form of examination.
Simple“Give the car a quick examine before we leave for the long trip.”
In context“After a brief examine of the documents, the manager realized that several signatures were missing from the final page.”
UsageThis noun form is much less common than the verb and is typically replaced by 'examination' or 'exam' in standard English.
Synonyms
Usage briefly examine · carefully examine · closely examine
From Middle English examinen, examenen, from Old French examiner, from Latin exāmināre.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.