Word
inspect
Phoneticsin·spect, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈspɛkt/
UK/ɪnspˈɛkt/
Definitions
01to examine carefully
B1 · Intermediate
v. to look at something closely to check its condition or to find any mistakes.
v. to examine something critically and in detail, typically to assess its condition or to identify flaws.
日本語:検査する※
“The mechanic needs to inspect the car's brakes before we go on our trip.”
“The engineer spent several hours inspecting the structural supports of the bridge for signs of metal fatigue or corrosion.”
Usage
This is a transitive verb that takes a direct object.
Synonyms
02to view officially
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to visit a place officially to make sure that rules are being followed.
v. to carry out an official or formal viewing of a facility, organisation, or equipment to ensure it meets legal or safety standards.
日本語:査察する※
“Health officials will inspect the restaurant kitchen tomorrow morning.”
“The general arrived at the base to inspect the troops and evaluate their readiness for the upcoming joint training exercise.”
Usage
Often used in contexts involving government, health, or safety authorities.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “inspect” in context.
Verb
01. fail to inspect the equipment
“The company was fined because they failed to inspect the equipment regularly.”
verb + infinitive
02. pause to inspect the damage
“The driver paused to inspect the damage after the minor collision.”
verb + infinitive
03. stop and inspect the site
“The supervisor will stop and inspect the site every Friday afternoon.”
verb + and + verb
Adverb
04. closely inspect the evidence
“The forensic team had to closely inspect the evidence to find any traces of DNA.”
adv + verb + noun
05. minutely inspect the details
“The art historian began to minutely inspect the details of the brushwork.”
adv + verb + noun
06. thoroughly inspect the premises
“Health officials arrived to thoroughly inspect the premises before the restaurant could reopen.”
adv + verb + noun
07. visually inspect the components
“Engineers must visually inspect the components for any signs of structural fatigue.”
adv + verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“On Wednesday, Putin travelled to the nearby Russian island of Sakhalin, where he inspected navy drills and declared that the four disputed islands were recognised as Russian in international documents.” “Damage has also affected transport infrastructure, with several airports in western Colombia suspending operations while facilities are inspected.” “The total cost would be over €1 million if all machines across the State were similarly inspected.” Etymology
From Latin inspectum, past participle of inspicere (“to look into”), from in (“in”) + specere (“to look at”), equivalent to in- + -spect.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/inspect
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0