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.
During a hike, if you need to take a break on a log or a rock, make sure to inspect it before taking a seat.
From Los Angeles Times
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour, making sure to inspect and flip the crackers around the 30-minute mark.
From Salon
When a gust yanks the handle out of her grasp, she decides to batten down the hatches, latching it behind her and inspecting her surroundings via phone flashlight.
From Literature
Nine inspected the contents of the bag, then cinched it up.
From Literature
After stalling for weeks, the DEA arranged for the Colombian posing as an ELN interlocutor to meet Kassis in Kenya to inspect the weapons.
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.
