Home / Dictionary / Examine

Examine Common

Examine has 6 different meanings across 1 category:

Verb

Definitions
Verb
1

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

"analyze a sonnet by Shakespeare"

"analyze the evidence in a criminal trial"

"analyze your real motives"

2

observe, check out, and look over carefully or inspect

"The customs agent examined the baggage"

"I must see your passport before you can enter the country"

3

question or examine thoroughly and closely

"The detective examined every detail of the crime scene to find any clues that might have been overlooked by others."

4

question closely

"Before hiring her, the manager decided to examine every reference she had listed on her resume."

5

put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to

"This approach has been tried with good results"

"Test this recipe"

6

to observe or inspect carefully or critically

"The detective examined the crime scene meticulously, noting every faint scratch on the floorboards and smudge of dust."

In plain English: To examine means to look at something closely to see what it is or how it works.

"The doctor will examine your throat to check for a sore spot."

Usage: Use "examine" when you intend to look at something closely in order to study its details or evaluate its condition. This word implies a deliberate and thorough inspection rather than just a casual glance.

Example Sentences
"The doctor will examine your throat to check for a sore spot." verb
"She will examine the contract before signing it." verb
"The doctor examined my throat with a small mirror." verb
"Please examine this photo and tell me what you see." verb
See Also
aptitude enteroscope careful perch evaluate examination trier endoscope
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
investigate question evaluate
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
anatomize diagnose survey compare check assay review audit screen trace investigate sieve view search x-ray candle autopsy auscultate scan peruse size up inspect re-examine hear quiz cross examine catechize grill control float field-test

Origin

The word examine comes from the Old French examiner, which was borrowed into Middle English from the Latin examinare. Originally meaning to test or try something out, it entered English with that same sense of scrutiny.

Rhyming Words
ine sine vine line mine bine zine wine dine eine pine gine kine rine fine nine tine cine meine reine
Compare
Examine vs