Definition

1. Noun:

   • A formal or official examination: An inspection or assessment, often to ensure standards are met or to evaluate performance.
   • A critical evaluation: An essay or article that assesses the quality, value, or significance of a work (like a book, play, or film).
   • A periodical containing critical essays: A magazine or journal that publishes such evaluations and articles on current affairs, literature, or art.
   • A summary or reconsideration: A look back at past events or a restatement of the main points of a longer discussion.
   • A judicial reexamination: In law, a new examination of court proceedings, typically by a higher court.
   • A variety show: A theatrical entertainment featuring sketches, songs, and comedy.

2. Verb:

   • To assess or examine critically: To formally evaluate the merits and faults of a work, performance, or situation.
   • To look back on or remember: To think about or consider past events or a period of time.
   • To reexamine or study again: To go over something a second time, often to refresh one's memory or understanding.
   • To hold an official inspection: To conduct a formal examination, especially of military troops.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The general conducted a review of the troops. (A formal military inspection.)
  • I read a positive review of the new restaurant in the newspaper. (A critical evaluation.)
  • She writes for a literary review. (A periodical publishing critical essays.)
  • The manager's annual review is next week. (A formal performance assessment.)

• Verb:

  • Critics will review the new film tomorrow. (To evaluate critically.)
  • He paused to review the events of the day. (To look back on past events.)
  • Please review Chapter 5 before the test. (To study again.)
  • The court agreed to review the case. (To reexamine judicially.)

Advanced Usage

• "Under review": Being formally examined or reconsidered.
  • The company's policies are currently under review.
• "In review": In the process of being assessed or summarized.
  • The year in review showed significant growth.

Variants and Related Words

• Reviewer (n): A person who writes critical evaluations, especially for a publication.
  • The reviewer praised the author's style.
• Reviewable (adj): Capable of being reviewed or reconsidered.
  • The decision is reviewable by a higher authority.

Synonyms

• Noun: Appraisal, critique, assessment, inspection, evaluation.
• Verb: Assess, evaluate, critique, reexamine, reconsider, recall.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Review for: To study material again in preparation for something.
  • She needs to review for her final exams.
• Pass in review: To be inspected or considered formally (often used literally for troops or figuratively).
  • The major issues were passed in review during the meeting.

Related Idioms

• To hold a review: To conduct a formal inspection or assessment.
  • The committee will hold a review of the project's progress.
• To come up for review: To reach a point where something must be formally reexamined.
  • Her contract comes up for review next month.

Noun

1. a formal or official examination
   • the platoon stood ready for review
   • we had to wait for the inspection before we could use the elevator
2. practice intended to polish performance or refresh the memory
3. (law) a judicial reexamination of the proceedings of a court (especially by an appellate court)
4. a summary at the end that repeats the substance of a longer discussion
5. a periodical that publishes critical essays on current affairs or literature or art
6. a variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians
7. (accounting) a service (less exhaustive than an audit) that provides some assurance to interested parties as to the reliability of financial data
8. a subsequent examination of a patient for the purpose of monitoring earlier treatment
9. an essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)
10. a new appraisal or evaluation

Verb

1. look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events); remember
   • she reviewed her achievements with pride
2. refresh one's memory
   • I reviewed the material before the test
3. hold a review (of troops)
4. appraise critically
   • She reviews books for the New York Times
   • Please critique this performance
5. look at again; examine again
   • let's review your situation