English Reference
noun · verb

test

n. · v.
US /ˈtɛst/ UK /tˈɛst/ test UK spelling tested, tests

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    n.a set of questions or exercises to check what a student knows.

    n.a procedure for critical evaluation; a means of determining the presence, quality, or truth of something, especially in an academic context.

    Simple

    The teacher said we have a math test next Tuesday morning.

    In context

    The final chemistry test proved significantly more difficult than the mid-term, covering organic compounds that many students had failed to review.

    Pitfall
    I made a test yesterday. I took a test yesterday.

    In English, students 'take' or 'sit' a test; teachers 'give' or 'set' a test.

  2. 02 A2 Elementary

    n.a process used to see if something works correctly or is true.

    n.a trial or examination of the qualities or performance of something under specific conditions.

    Simple

    The new car underwent a safety test to check the brakes.

    In context

    The software underwent a rigorous stress test to ensure the servers could handle thousands of simultaneous users without crashing.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate Medicine

    n.a medical check of a part of your body, like a blood test.

    n.a medical procedure performed to detect, diagnose, or monitor diseases or other conditions.

    Simple

    The doctor ordered a blood test to see why I was feeling tired.

    In context

    The laboratory results from the diagnostic test confirmed the presence of the antibodies, allowing the physician to proceed with the treatment plan.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced InformalSlang

    n.a short way of saying testosterone, a hormone in the body.

    n.an informal clipping of testosterone, frequently used in athletic or medical contexts.

    Simple

    He was worried that his test levels were too low for his age.

    In context

    Bodybuilders often monitor their test levels closely to optimize muscle recovery and overall performance during intensive training cycles.

    testo
  5. 05 A2 Elementary

    v.to use or check something to see if it works or is good.

    v.to subject something to a trial or examination to determine its qualities or reliability.

    Simple

    You should test the water temperature before you get in the bath.

    In context

    The engineers will test the structural integrity of the bridge by simulating extreme wind speeds and heavy traffic loads.

    checktry outexamine
  6. 06 B1 Intermediate

    v.to give a student or a group a set of questions to answer.

    v.to administer an examination to a person or group to evaluate their knowledge or skills.

    Simple

    The professor will test us on the first three chapters of the book.

    In context

    The national curriculum aims to test students not only on rote memorization but also on their ability to apply critical thinking to complex problems.

  7. 07 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to put a strain on someone's skills or patience.

    v.to put a strain on a quality or ability; to challenge the limits of something.

    Simple

    Climbing the mountain really tested his strength and courage.

    In context

    The prolonged economic crisis tested the resilience of the local community, forcing many small businesses to adapt or close permanently.

Usage tested on people · test case · test results


The river is first attested 877 as Terstan. The name is of Brythonic origin, possibly related to Welsh trais (“violence, battle”).

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

This entry
Origin cel-bry -
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated