examine

examine — verb

1. to look at something very closely and carefully, paying attention to every part

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to look at something very closely and carefully, paying attention to every part of it, in order to find information, understand how it works, or check for problems or damage.

Example

The doctor examined Layla's swollen ankle after she twisted it during a run.

examine + body part for injury

Before buying the old house, Henrik hired someone to examine the roof and basement walls.

examine + object for defects before decision

Common collocations
  • examine carefully / closely / thoroughly
  • examine something for damage / defects / signs / evidence
  • examine samples / documents / evidence / data / records
Synonyms
  • inspect

    focuses on checking for quality, defects, or standards, often in a professional context

  • scrutinize

    suggests even closer, more detailed attention, often looking for tiny flaws

  • analyze

    focuses on breaking something into parts to understand its structure or meaning

  • study

    implies spending time learning about something rather than checking its condition

Antonyms
  • ignore

    to pay no attention to something

  • overlook

    to fail to notice something, either deliberately or by accident

Grammar Patterns

examine + noun phrase

examine + noun phrase + for + noun phrase

examine + wh-clause

Usage Note

Often used with adverbs that indicate thoroughness: carefully, closely, thoroughly, rigorously.

Common Mistakes

The mechanic looked at the engine' (when meaning a detailed check).
The mechanic examined the engine for faults.
'look at' is casual; 'examine' implies a systematic, careful check.
She examined him if he was okay.' (wrong structure).
She examined him to see if he was okay.
'examine' cannot be followed directly by 'if' or 'whether'; use a to-infinitive or a wh-clause.

2. to formally measure what a student has learned within a specific area of study,

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to formally measure what a student has learned within a specific area of study, usually by administering a written or practical test.

Example

All final-year students will be examined in both written and spoken French.

passive: be examined in [subject]

The university examined Hao on economic theory at the end of the semester.

Common collocations
  • examine in mathematics / French / history
  • examine on a topic / subject / skill
  • examine students / candidates / trainees
  • be examined orally / in writing
Synonyms
  • test

    broader and more common; can be formal or informal, written or practical

  • assess

    focuses on judging ability or quality, often continuously rather than in one exam

  • quiz

    an informal or short test, especially in American English

Grammar Patterns

examine + someone + in/on + subject

be examined + in/on + subject

Usage Note

Commonly used in the passive voice. The subject area is introduced by 'in' for broad fields ('examined in mathematics') or 'on' for specific topics ('examined on the causes of World War I'). More common in British English; American English prefers 'test'.

Common Mistakes

The teacher examined the students about grammar.
The teacher examined the students on grammar.
the preposition is 'in' or 'on', not 'about'.
I was examined by the doctor on my knowledge.' (ambiguity between Sense 1 and Sense 2).
The students were examined in mathematics at the end of the term.
use 'in/on + subject' clearly to signal the testing sense.

3. to ask someone questions in a formal legal or official setting, such as a court

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to ask someone questions in a formal legal or official setting, such as a court of law or a committee hearing, in order to obtain facts or establish the truth.

Example

The prosecutor examined Adina about the events she witnessed on the night of the robbery.

examine + witness + about [events]

Tariro was examined by the parliamentary committee for nearly three hours over the failed project.

passive: be examined by [official body]

Common collocations
  • examine a witness / suspect / defendant
  • examine under oath
  • examine by the prosecution / defense / committee
  • examine about / on an event
Synonyms
  • interrogate

    more forceful and intensive; often used by police with suspects

  • question

    broader and less formal; works for both everyday and official contexts

  • cross-examine

    specific to courtroom procedure; questioning by the opposing legal side

Grammar Patterns

examine + someone + about/on + noun phrase

examine + someone + under oath

Usage Note

In legal contexts, 'examine' is distinct from 'cross-examine': the former is any formal questioning in court, while the latter specifically refers to questioning by the opposing side after the first round of questions.

Common Mistakes

The police examined the suspect in the street.' (too informal for this sense).
The police officer questioned the suspect on the street.
Sense 3 is reserved for formal, official proceedings; use 'question' for everyday police inquiries.
Idioms

need (to have) your head examined

idiom

This phrase means that someone is acting very strangely or foolishly.

Maya said she would run a marathon in high heels; she needs her head examined.

If you think that plan will work, you need to have your head examined.

Word family

  • examination
    nounB1
  • examiner
    nounB1
  • examinee
    nounC1
  • cross-examine
    verbC1
  • cross-examination
    nounC1
  • reexamine
    verbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve looking at something with attention, but they differ in purpose and intensity. 'Examine' is the broadest — you can examine a patient, a document, evidence, or an idea; it suggests a careful, methodical look. 'Inspect' focuses on checking against a standard: an inspector examines a building for safety violations. 'Scrutinize' implies the closest, most critical attention, often searching for flaws (e.g., a journalist scrutinizing a politician's finances). 'Analyze' is more intellectual — breaking something into parts to understand its structure or meaning, like analyzing data or a poem. 'Study' implies spending time to learn and understand, not just to check. For everyday use, 'examine' is the safest choice; choose 'scrutinize' for extreme thoroughness and 'analyze' for intellectual investigation.

inspect ↗scrutinizeanalyze ↗study ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • examine in detail
  • examine under oath
  • examine on the stand

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'examinare', meaning 'to weigh, to test, to consider carefully'. The Latin word 'examen' originally referred to the tongue or pointer of a balance scale — the part that shows whether something is heavier or lighter. By the 1300s, the word entered French as 'examiner' and then Middle English, carrying the sense of 'weighing' or 'testing' something to determine its nature or quality. Over time, the meaning expanded from literal weighing to careful investigation in all areas of life.