examine Hear it!

examine Definition

ex·am·ine (eg zam′ən, ig-)

transitive verb -·ined, -·in·ing

  1. to look at or into critically or methodically in order to find out the facts, condition, etc. of; investigate; inspect; scrutinize; inquire into
  2. to test by carefully questioning in order to find out the knowledge, skill, qualifications, etc. of (a student, witness, job applicant, etc.)

Etymology: ME examinen < OFr examiner < L examinare, to weigh, ponder, examine < examen, tongue of a balance, examination < ex-, out + base of agere, to lead, move: see act

examine Related Forms

ex·am′·i·nable adjective

examine Synonyms

examine

v.

  1. To inspect with care

    inspect, analyze, scrutinize, investigate, inquire into, delve into, go into, scan, probe, study, test, sift, explore, reconnoiter, audit, take stock of, take note of, make an inventory of, consider, canvass, survey, search, ransack, review, assay, check, check out, check up on, reexamine, go back over, concentrate on, give one's attention to, look at, observe, contemplate, look into, see into, look over, peruse, pore over, go through, conduct research on, research, fathom, thresh out, search out, track down, smell out, see about, run checks on, run tests on, put to the test, parse, winnow, sound out, feel out, subject to scrutiny, run the eye over, peer at, peer into, search into, pry into, hold up to the light, finger, turn over, pick over, criticize, look for flaws, sample, monitor, vet, experiment with, case*, give the once-over*, size up*, get the lay of*, play around with*, give a going-over*, poke around*, smell around*, nose around*, look up and down*, go over with a fine-toothed comb*, get the lay of the land*, cast the eyes over, eyeball*, flip through the pages, see how the land lies*, bury oneself in*, go behind*, fool around with*, sit on, dig into*, dive into*, go deep into.

  2. To test

    question, query, interrogate, catechize, cross-examine, judge, measure, experiment, weigh, check, try, give an exam, try out, quiz.

examine suggests close observation or investigation to determine the condition, quality, validity, etc. of something examined thoroughly by a doctor; scrutinize implies a looking over carefully and searchingly in order to observe the minutest details he slowly scrutinized the bank note; inspect implies close, critical observation, esp. for detecting errors, flaws, etc. to inspect a building for fire hazards; scan, in its earlier, stricter sense, implies close scrutiny, but in current usage, it more frequently connotes a quick, rather superficial survey to scan the headlines

examine Usage Examples

Object

  • extent: They examined the extent to which it is possible and appropriate to incorporate sustainable development into their department's aims and objectives.
  • impact: The first set of analyzes examined the impact of.. ... .
  • implication: Any report must examine the wide environmental implications of UK decisions on agricultural biotechnology.
  • relationship: I wanted remain true to the writing and really examine the relationship between the two men.
  • role: Let us examine the role of largest exporters of arms in the World.
  • aspect: In this workbook, we will be examining certain aspects of trust administration in more detail.

Subject

  • microscopy: Stained specimen will be sectioned and examined by microscopy.
  • essay: Both these modules are examined by a 4,000-word essay.

Noun phrase with adjective complement

inherent: Sarah Payne and Jim Campbell examine the tensions inherent in community care as it was delivered in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

Modifying Another Word

critically: His claim that he has brought back " peace for our time " will be critically examined by the House.

Used with why or when

  • why: We examine why food is such a risk for off-licence chains.
  • what: By that means, let us examine what is going on in terms that can be substantiated.
  • which: Thermal imaging available as a service would enable those householders to examine which areas were leaking the most heat.
  • who: He painstakingly examines who was at the tomb and what they were all doing.

Infinitive complement

determine: However, the totality of facts will have to be examined to determine the source of profits.

Preposition: in

detail: We also examine in detail some other examples of more relevance to Computer Science.

Preposition: under

microscope: Examine under a microscope at low power i.e. 10 x 4 or 10 x 10.

Preposition: by

  • microscopy: Stained specimen will be sectioned and examined by microscopy.
  • essay: Both these modules are examined by a 4,000-word essay.
  • dissertation: The project is examined by dissertation; the amount of time required to complete it is approximately six person-months.

Browse dictionary entries near examine

  1. ‹ examinatorial
  2. ‹ examination
  3. ‹ examen
  4. ‹ exam
  5. ‹ exalted
  6. ‹ exaltation
  7. ‹ exalt
  8. ‹ exaggeration
  9. ‹ exaggerated
  10. ‹ exaggerate
  1. examined ›
  2. examinee ›
  3. examiner ›
  4. example ›
  5. exanimate ›
  6. exanthem ›
  7. exarch ›
  8. exarchate ›
  9. exasperate ›
  10. exasperation ›