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to review

to review

20 2.3
To think about past events to remember or judge them
  • verb
  • /rɪˈvjuː/
translation icon : repasar
  • Sipping the cool, bitter ale, he mentally reviewed the steps taken so far and the options open to him.
  • review the past
  • review one's life
  • review the history

I am only left to review myself.

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Examples

  • As the thrust of takeoff pushed him back, he reviewed the flight in his mind.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Ms. Jamison's class reviewed its agreements at the beginning of each school day.

    Academic text (2013)
  • After five years, we will, of course, review the situation.

  • Maybe this would be a good time to review his financial status.

  • Look, let's review the last hour, okay?

  • When your project has ended, review your notes and reflect on what you and your students have accomplished.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Come on, let's review what we missed when we were buying groceries last night.

  • I've just been reviewing an old case.

  • As she called up to Lucas to make sure he brushed his teeth, she mentally reviewed the day's schedule.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Let's review the main points from yesterday's meeting to make sure we understood everything.

Synonyms

to remember
vsto review
1.0

To think about something from the past

focuses on examining and assessing past actions rather than simple recall
to recall
vsto review
2.4

Remember something from the past

involves assessing and judging past events rather than merely retrieving facts
to look back
vsto review
323 2.6

Think about the past, especially a time you remember

is more active, involving assessment and judgment rather than general looking back
to reflect
vsto review
265 3.9

To think carefully about something before making a decision

is aimed at judging past actions and results rather than only analysis
to reflect on
vsto review
120 4.0

To think carefully about something and what it means

is more practical, used to assess past events rather than general analysis
to revisit
vsto review
72 3.7

To return to an idea or topic to think about it again

focuses on judging past events rather than only revisiting ideas
to reminisce
vsto review
50 5.8

To think or talk about happy times from the past

is concerned with assessment and judgment of past actions rather than nostalgic talk
to recollect
vsto review
20 3.7

To remember something from the past

is a purposeful evaluation of past events rather than simple retrieval of details
to reminisce about
vsto review
16 5.3

To remember and talk about happy past events

is used to evaluate past events rather than to enjoy or share memories
to retrace
vsto review
12 4.4

To think back over the events or steps that led to something

is broader, used to assess and judge events rather than only reconstructing sequence
to relook
vsto review
3 5.3

To consider something again before deciding

is broader, applying to reviewing past actions and outcomes
2 6.3

Think about something that happened in the past to remember it

is used to evaluate and judge past actions rather than just deliberate recall
to repass
vsto review
7.2

Read notes or papers again to find mistakes

is a deliberate assessment of past events or actions rather than checking texts

Antonyms

1.8

Decide not to think about something

332 3.0

To refuse to accept an idea or claim

Compounds

to peer review
  • Specialized
43 4.2

To have other experts in the same field check a colleague's work for quality

rave review
  • Literature
15 3.3

A very positive written or spoken opinion about something such as a play

book review
  • Literature
14 2.6

An article that describes a recently published book and says if it is good

14 3.7

A meeting where a manager talks with an employee about how well they do their job

7 6.9

A court's power to decide if laws or government actions follow the constitution

review copy
  • Jargon
4 3.9

A free copy of a new book sent to someone who will read and write about it

3 3.9

An article that gives a short summary and opinion of other people's work like books or research

one-star review
  • Texting
2 2.8

A comment that gives the lowest rating, usually one star

A very harsh opinion that says a book, play or film is bad

A very positive rating that says a product or service is top quality

An article that says if a book, play, or film is good and explains why

1 4.2

A long article that summarises research on a topic and judges its quality

A review written by someone who does not give their name

An article that explains and judges a book or poem

1 4.9

A check of emails and documents that stops secret information reaching people who must not see it

9.9

A court action asking the same court to change or reverse its previous decision

analytical review
  • Specialized
6.7

A check of financial numbers to find unusual changes or mistakes

A careful, detailed check of a document or record to find small errors

limited review
  • Specialized
6.5

A check of company accounts that is less complete than an audit, giving some confidence they are correct

security review
  • Specialized
4.0

A careful check of a computer system, code, or design that finds security problems and suggests fixes

A Canadian independent group that checks the security service to make sure it follows the law and protects people's rights

How Reflective

to reflect on
120 4.0
to look back
323 2.6
to review
20 2.3
to remember
1.0

Surface Forms

review infinitive
reviewed past
reviewed past participle
reviewing present participle
reviews third person singular

Morphology

review = view (semi-transparent) = re + view

The sense of mentally 'looking over again' past events is understandable, but it relies on a metaphorical extension from literal seeing.

Etymology

Review comes from the French parts re- ('again') and voir ('to see'), like the English view. So to review the past is to 'look back' over events to remember or judge them.