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Definition of examine verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

examine

verb
 OPAL W
 
/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
 
/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they examine
 
/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
 
/ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
he / she / it examines
 
/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/
 
/ɪɡˈzæmɪnz/
past simple examined
 
/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/
 
/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/
past participle examined
 
/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/
 
/ɪɡˈzæmɪnd/
-ing form examining
 
/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
 
/ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
Idioms
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  1.  
     to consider or study an idea, a subject, etc. very carefully
    • examine something This study sets out to examine in detail the possible effects of climate change.
    • Her new show critically examines the relationship between the arts and popular culture.
    • This important issue must be carefully examined.
    • Only recently have historians begun to examine the impact and influence of these changes.
    • examine how, what, etc… It is necessary to examine how the proposals can be carried out.
    • The weather gave researchers an opportunity to examine what happens to insect numbers when temperatures rise.
    see also re-examine
    Synonyms examineexamineanalyse ▪ review ▪ study ▪ discussThese words all mean to think about, study or describe somebody/​something carefully, especially in order to understand them, form an opinion of them or make a decision about them.examine to think about, study or describe an idea, subject or piece of work very carefully:
    • These ideas will be examined in more detail in Chapter 10.
    analyse/​analyze to examine the nature or structure of something, especially by separating it into its parts, in order to understand or explain it:
    • The job involves gathering and analysing data.
    • He tried to analyse his feelings.
    review to examine something again, especially so that you can decide if it is necessary to make changes:
    • The government will review the situation later in the year.
    study to examine somebody/​something in order to understand them or it:
    • We will study the report carefully before making a decision.
     examine or study?You examine something in order to understand it or to help other people understand it, for example by describing it in a book; you study something in order to understand it yourself.discuss to write or talk about something in detail, showing the different ideas and opinions about it:
    • This topic will be discussed at greater length in the next chapter.
    Patterns
    • to examine/​analyse/​review/​study/​discuss what/​how/​whether…
    • to examine/​analyse/​review/​study/​discuss the situation/​evidence
    • to examine/​analyse/​review/​study/​discuss something carefully/​critically/​systematically/​briefly
    Language Bank aboutaboutSaying what a text is about
      • The book is about homeless people in the cities.
      • The report deals with the issue of homelessness in London.
      • The writer discusses the problems faced by homeless people.
      • The article presents an overview of the issues surrounding homelessness.
      • The novel explores the theme of friendship among homeless people.
      • The first chapter examines the relationship between homelessness and drug addiction.
      • The paper considers the question of why so many young people become homeless.
    Extra Examples
    • These ideas will be examined in more detail in Chapter 10.
    • Critically examine your work as if you were looking at someone else's efforts.
    • He didn't even bother to examine the note.
    • She fails to examine the implications of such a development.
    • It is instructive to examine the data we have so far.
    • Let us examine the implications of this theory.
    • This claim needs to be examined separately.
    • We continue to examine new ways of doing business.
    Topics Opinion and argumentb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • carefully
    • closely
    • in detail
    • …
    verb + examine
    • aim to
    • attempt to
    • be designed to
    • …
    preposition
    • for
    phrases
    • let us examine…
    See full entry
  2.  
     to look at somebody/something closely, to see if there is anything wrong or to find the cause of a problem
    • examine somebody/something The doctor examined her carefully but could find nothing wrong.
    • to be examined by a doctor/psychiatrist/specialist/vet
    • examine yourself She examined herself closely in the mirror.
    • examine something/somebody for something The samples were examined under the microscope for the presence of damaged cells.
    • The goods were examined for damage on arrival.
    • Investigators examined the room minutely for clues.
    Wordfinder
    Synonyms checkcheckexamine ▪ inspect ▪ go over somethingThese words all mean to look closely to make sure that everything is correct, in good condition, or acceptable.check to look at something closely to make sure that everything is correct, in good condition, safe or acceptable:
    • Check your work before handing it in.
    examine to look at somebody/​something closely to see if there is anything wrong or to find the cause of a problem:
    • The goods were examined for damage on arrival.
    inspect to look at somebody/​something closely to make sure that everything is acceptable; to officially visit a school, factory, etc. in order to check that rules are being obeyed and that standards are acceptable:
    • Make sure you inspect the goods before signing for them.
    • The Tourist Board inspects all recommended hotels at least once a year.
     check, examine or inspect?All these words can be used when you are looking for possible problems, but of these three words only check is used for mistakes: Examine/​Inspect your work before handing it in. Only examine is used when looking for the cause of a problem: The doctor checked/​inspected her but could find nothing wrong. Examine is used more often about a professional person: The surveyor examined the walls for signs of damp. Inspect is used more often about an official: Public health officials were called in to inspect the restaurant. go over something to check something carefully for mistakes, damage or anything dangerous:
    • Go over your work for spelling mistakes before you hand it in.
    Patterns
    • to check/​examine/​inspect/​go over (something) for something
    • to check/​examine/​inspect/​go over something to see if/​whether…
    • to check/​examine/​inspect/​go over something carefully/​thoroughly
    Wordfinder
    Topics Healthcareb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • carefully
    • closely
    • in detail
    • …
    verb + examine
    • aim to
    • attempt to
    • be designed to
    • …
    preposition
    • for
    phrases
    • let us examine…
    See full entry
  3. [usually passive] (formal) to give somebody a test to see how much they know about a subject or what they can do
    • be examined in something The students will be examined in all subjects at the end of term.
    • be examined on something You are only being examined on this semester's work.
    • be examined The course is externally examined (= arranged and marked by somebody from outside a school, a university or an organization).
  4. examine somebody (law) to ask somebody questions formally, especially in court
    • The prosecution examined 20 witnesses.
    see also cross-examine
    5. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French examiner, from Latin examinare ‘weigh, test’, from examen ‘examination’.
Idioms
need (to have) your head examined
  1. (informal) to be crazy
See examine in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee examine in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: examine

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Nearby words

dizzy
adjective
 
 
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