examine
/ɪɡˈzæm.ɪn/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To look at something carefully in order to understand it, find problems, or make a judgment. It is more careful than simply looking or seeing.
- The doctor will examine your throat.
- Please examine the report before you sign it.
- Investigators examined the scene carefully.
Adinary Nuance
Examine is more careful and detailed than look at or see. It often suggests close checking for facts, problems, or quality. In formal writing, it can be closer to inspect or analyze, but it is more general than both. Use examine when you want to stress careful attention, not just a quick glance.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- xem xét
- Spanish
- examinar
- Chinese
- 检查
- Japanese
- 調べる
- Korean
- 검토하다
Etymology
Examine comes from Latin exāmināre, meaning “to weigh” or “to test.” It entered English through Old French in the late Middle English period.
Common phrases
examine closelyexamine the evidenceexamine a patientexamine the facts
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is examine formal or informal?
- It is fairly neutral, but it sounds more formal than look at. It is common in academic, medical, and professional writing.
- What is the difference between examine and inspect?
- Examine means to look at something carefully. Inspect often means checking something for rules, damage, or quality.
- Can I say examine a person?
- Yes, especially for a doctor, teacher, or police officer. It means to check the person carefully.
- Is examine used in IELTS writing?
- Yes, it is a useful academic word. It helps you sound precise when discussing evidence, ideas, or problems.