examine

verb

ex·​am·​ine ig-ˈza-mən 

examined; examining ig-ˈza-mə-niŋ 

-ˈzam-niŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to inspect closely

b

: to test the condition of

examining a patient

c

: to inquire into carefully : investigate

examining the accounts

2

a

: to interrogate closely

examine a prisoner

b

: to test by questioning in order to determine progress, fitness, or knowledge

examine a witness

intransitive verb

: to make or give an examination

examinable

ig-ˈza-mə-nə-bəl 

adjective

examiner

ig-ˈza-mə-nər 

-ˈzam-nər

noun

Synonyms of examine

• interrogate
• question

Choose the Right Synonym for examine

scrutinize, scan, inspect, examine mean to look at or over.

scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.

scrutinized the hospital bill

scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.

scanned the wine list

inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.

inspected my credentials

examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.

examined the specimens

Examples of examine in a Sentence

An accountant has been hired to examine the company's books.

The police examined the evidence carefully.

You should have your eyes examined.

He was examined by several doctors, who found nothing wrong with him.

Recent Examples on the Web

The ruling came after the first bench trial in the country to examine the constitutionality of the execution method that has now been used to put eight people to death, seven in Alabama and one in Louisiana. —Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

The petition delivery was a tamer affair than in Wichita, where police dispatched a bomb squad to examine the boxes of petitions after receiving a tip. —Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026

The plan examines how natural disasters could impact residents, homes, infrastructure and essential facilities, while identifying ways to reduce damage and strengthen community resilience. —Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 29 May 2026

In the piece, Mead examines Monroe's legacy, and how her disarming beauty still holds the power to seduce today. —Rebecca Mead, Allure, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French examiner, from Latin examinare, from examen

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing examine

• re-examine

Rhymes for examine

• backgammon
• examen
• glutamine
• famine
• gammon
• mammon
• reexamine

Kids Definition

examine

verb

ex·​am·​ine ig-ˈzam-ən 

examined; examining

1

: to look at or check carefully

examine a company's books

have your eyes examined

2

: to question closely

examine a witness

examiner noun

Medical Definition

examine

verb

ex·​am·​ine ig-ˈzam-ən 

examined; examining -(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

: to inspect or test for evidence of disease or abnormality

the doctor examined the young men and found them in perfect health

intransitive verb

: to make or give an examination

the doctor will examine at the infirmary

Legal Definition

examine

transitive verb

ex·​am·​ine

examined; examining

1

: to investigate or inspect closely

examine the title

compare audit

2

: to question closely especially in a court proceeding compare depose