Definition

1. Verb:
   • To inspect or scrutinize carefully: To look at something closely and critically in order to assess its condition, quality, or details.
   • To test the knowledge or ability of someone: To formally question someone, typically in an academic or professional setting, to evaluate their understanding or proficiency.
   • To investigate or inquire into something systematically: To study or analyze something in detail to understand its nature or to find facts.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The doctor will examine the patient thoroughly. (The doctor will inspect the patient's body carefully for signs of illness.)
  • The committee will examine the proposal before making a decision. (The committee will scrutinize and analyze the details of the proposal.)
  • Students were examined on three chapters of the textbook. (Students' knowledge was tested on the material from three chapters.)

Advanced Usage

• "to examine the evidence": To analyze proof or information presented in a case, especially in a legal or scientific context.
  • The lawyer took time to examine the evidence before the trial.
• "to examine one's conscience": To think deeply and critically about one's own motives, actions, or feelings.
  • After the argument, he took a moment to examine his conscience.

Variants and Related Words

• Examination (n): The act of examining or a formal test of knowledge or skill.
  • She passed her final examination.
• Examiner (n): A person who conducts an examination.
  • The examiner asked very detailed questions.
• Cross-examine (v): To question a witness already questioned by the opposing side, especially in a court of law. (Note: This is a compound verb listed here as a related term).
  • The defense attorney will cross-examine the witness tomorrow.

Synonyms

• Inspect: To look at something carefully, typically for assessment.
• Scrutinize: To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly.
• Analyze: To study something methodically by separating it into parts.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Examine into (something): To investigate or inquire into a matter. (This usage is somewhat formal).
  • The police will examine into the causes of the accident.

Related Idioms

• Under the microscope: Being examined or scrutinized very closely. (While not containing "examine," it expresses a similar concept of intense scrutiny).
  • The company's finances are under the microscope.

Verb

1. put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to
   • This approach has been tried with good results
   • Test this recipe
2. question closely
3. question or examine thoroughly and closely
4. 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
5. 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