# examine

/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/ (US) · /ɛɡzˈæmɪn/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to inspect closely

verb · CEFR B1

to look at something very carefully to find information or check for problems.

For teachers: to inspect or observe something with close attention to detail in order to determine its nature or condition.

- The detective used a magnifying glass to examine the fingerprints on the desk.
- Forensic experts spent several hours examining the crime scene for any trace evidence that might link the suspect to the location.

### 2. medical check-up

verb · CEFR B1

when a doctor looks at your body to see if you are healthy.

For teachers: to perform a physical medical assessment on a patient to diagnose a condition or monitor health.

- The doctor will examine your throat to see why it is sore.
- The specialist examined the patient's reflexes and coordination to rule out any underlying neurological issues after the accident.

### 3. to test knowledge

verb · CEFR B2

to test how much someone knows about a subject.

For teachers: to evaluate the knowledge, skills, or qualifications of a candidate through a formal test.

- The professor will examine the students on everything they learned this semester.
- The board of examiners will examine each candidate's proficiency in both written theory and practical application before granting the license.

### 4. to question formally

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to ask someone many questions in a formal way, like in a court of law.

For teachers: to question a witness or suspect formally and closely, typically in a legal context.

- The lawyer began to examine the witness about what she saw that night.
- The prosecution spent the afternoon examining the lead investigator to establish a clear timeline of the events leading up to the arrest.

### 5. an inspection

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a quick look or check of something.

For teachers: the act of inspecting or checking something; used as a shortened form of examination.

- Give the car a quick examine before we leave for the long trip.
- After a brief examine of the documents, the manager realized that several signatures were missing from the final page.

Usage: This noun form is much less common than the verb and is typically replaced by 'examination' or 'exam' in standard English.

## Examples

- The doctor needs to examine your throat.
- The customs officer will examine your luggage before you are allowed to enter the country.
- The committee will examine the proposed legislation to ensure it does not conflict with existing environmental protections or international trade agreements.

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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.