inspect
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to look carefully at or over; view closely and critically.
to inspect every part of the motor.
- Synonyms:
- study, investigate, scrutinize, examine
-
to view or examine formally or officially.
The general inspected the troops.
verb
-
to examine closely, esp for faults or errors
-
to scrutinize officially (a document, military personnel on ceremonial parade, etc)
Other Word Forms
- inspectability noun
- inspectable adjective
- inspectingly adverb
- inspection noun
- inspectional adjective
- inspective adjective
- preinspect verb (used with object)
- quasi-inspected adjective
- reinspect verb (used with object)
- self-inspected adjective
- uninspected adjective
- well-inspected adjective
Etymology
Origin of inspect
First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin inspectus “looked into,” past participle of inspicere “to look into,” from in in- 2 + -spicere, combining form of specere “to look, regard, see”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Those seasonal tuneups start with simple tasks like changing filters, inspecting refrigerant levels and keeping outdoor components clean, according to the experts at Constellation.
From MarketWatch
Flitting between organic and industrial, they are a pleasure to inspect as the slight variations in each give them individual personalities that grow the longer one spends with them.
The IRS generally has three years to inspect a return for accuracy once it’s been filed.
From MarketWatch
The women poured over each seam, inspecting the sister’s dresses, petticoats, and stockings.
From Literature
He marched from one spot to another, inspecting a burrow here and a burrow there, but none passed muster.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
