English Meaning & Definitions
To inspect, scrutinize, or investigate someone or something closely and thoroughly in order to determine their nature, condition, or credibility.
- “The detective carefully examined the crime scene for any overlooked fingerprints.”
- “The doctor needs to examine your throat to determine if you have strep throat.”
To test the knowledge, skills, or qualification of a student or candidate, typically by oral or written questions.
- “The board of professors will examine the doctoral candidate on her thesis next Tuesday.”
- “Students are examined in three core subjects at the end of the academic year.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “examine”.
Derived from Middle English 'examiner', which comes from Old French 'examiner', originating from the Latin verb 'examinare' meaning 'to weigh, ponder, or test'. This Latin term is rooted in 'examen', the tongue or needle of a balance scale, symbolizing the careful weighing of evidence or facts.
Think of taking an 'exam' where a teacher must 'examine' your answers very closely to grade them.
Frequently Asked Questions About “examine”
1. What is the meaning of “examine” in English?
In English, examine (verb) is defined as: “To inspect, scrutinize, or investigate someone or something closely and thoroughly in order to determine their nature, condition, or credibility.”.
2. How do you use “examine” in a sentence?
“The detective carefully examined the crime scene for any overlooked fingerprints.”
3. What are English synonyms of “examine”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “examine”?
Derived from Middle English 'examiner', which comes from Old French 'examiner', originating from the Latin verb 'examinare' meaning 'to weigh, ponder, or test'. This Latin term is rooted in 'examen', the tongue or needle of a balance scale, symbolizing the careful weighing of evidence or facts.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.