English Reference

Word

survey

Phoneticssur·vey, stress on the first syllable

/ˈsɝˌveɪ/

Definitions

01a questionnaire

A2 · Elementary Countable noun General-service

n. a set of questions you ask many people to find out their opinions or habits.

n. a research method used for collecting data from a predefined group of respondents to gain information and insights into various topics.

“The company sent out a customer satisfaction survey to see how people liked the new app.”

“The recent national survey indicates a significant shift in public opinion regarding environmental policy among younger demographics.”

02inspection of a building

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun British English

n. a careful examination of a house or building to check its condition.

n. a detailed inspection of a property's condition, typically conducted by a professional before a sale is finalised.

“Before buying the old house, we paid for a professional survey to check the roof.”

“The structural survey revealed several underlying issues with the foundations that the initial viewing had failed to uncover.”

03measuring land

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science Technical

n. the act of measuring an area of land to make a map or find boundaries.

n. the process of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them.

“The government ordered a new survey of the coast to update the official maps.”

“A geological survey was commissioned to determine the viability of the site for the proposed hydroelectric dam.”

04to ask questions

B1 · Intermediate

v. to ask a group of people questions to collect information.

v. to investigate the opinions or experiences of a group by means of a questionnaire or interview.

“Researchers surveyed over one thousand students about their sleeping habits.”

“The marketing department surveyed a broad cross-section of the population to gauge interest in the upcoming product launch.”

05to look at carefully

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to look at or examine something carefully from a distance.

v. to scan or view an area or situation comprehensively to form a general impression.

“The captain stood on the deck to survey the horizon for any signs of other ships.”

“From the hilltop, the general surveyed the valley below, carefully noting the enemy's defensive positions before the sun went down.”

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “survey” in context.

01. health survey 02. household survey 03. ordnance survey 04. survey condition

Etymology

From Middle English surveyen, from Old French sourveoir, surveer (“to oversee”), from sour-, sur- (“over”) + veoir, veeir (“to see”), from Latin videre. See sur- and vision. Related to supervision.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Idioms

This entry

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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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