Skip to main content
to inspect

to inspect

202 2.5
To look at something carefully to check if it works or is safe
  • verb
  • /ɪnˈspɛkt/
translation icon : inspeccionar
  • And, until recently, that meant sending a worker to inspect each and every car at the plant.
  • inspect the facility
  • visually inspect
  • inspect carefully

Paul comes back and says, I have inspected this piece for several days.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Every year, the building inspector comes to inspect our house for safety compliance.

  • OK, so you can inspect these gloves.

  • Even if a shop leaves the program, Apple can continue to inspect it for up to five years.

  • Ah, we... we came to inspect the work to see...

  • We're gonna walk around and inspect it together.

  • Take the captain tape off and let's inspect each of the connections.

  • One of his men will board us and inspect the contents of the suitcase.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I don't believe you though, I have to inspect it for myself.

  • I've come to inspect your food.

  • A typical pruning regime begins with walking the farm and inspecting each coffee bush.

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

to look at
vsto inspect
1.0

Study something carefully to understand it or decide

is more specifically aimed at checking quality, condition, or compliance
to check
vsto inspect
1.0

Examine something to make sure it is correct or true

is more likely used for formal assessments of quality or compliance
to take a look
vsto inspect
1.3

To look at something to check it or find information

tends to imply an official careful check rather than a casual look
to investigate
vsto inspect
2.8

To look carefully at something to find facts

is narrower, usually for checking condition, quality, or rule following
to check out
vsto inspect
2.5

To look at or test something to learn more about it

leans more to formal or routine checks for condition or compliance
to examine
vsto inspect
868 2.5

To look at something carefully to find facts or problems

is more often an official or procedural quality or compliance check
to analyze
vsto inspect
  • US
675 3.2

To study something carefully to understand it better

is more action and condition oriented, not only analytical understanding
to go over
vsto inspect
642 2.5

To check something carefully, like papers or work

is focused more on official checking of condition or standards
to have a look
vsto inspect
412 1.3

To check something carefully, for example an essay or a machine

is more formal and often concerns adherence to standards or rules
to evaluate
vsto inspect
335 3.2

To judge how good or useful something is

is usually a practical verification of condition or rule compliance
to assess
vsto inspect
296 3.0

Estimate how much a thing is worth or how good it is

focuses more on judging against standards than purely checking compliance
to look through
vsto inspect
180 2.8

To read or check something carefully for mistakes

is more often about formal checks of physical condition or compliance
to scan
vsto inspect
127 2.7

To look quickly to find specific information

is deeper and more careful, often official and focused on compliance
to check up on
vsto inspect
93 3.2

To look at something to make sure it is correct and works well

is commonly used in formal checks focused on quality or compliance
to scrutinize
vsto inspect
  • US
70 6.2

To look at something very carefully to check for mistakes

is a bit broader and can include routine quality or condition checks
to survey
vsto inspect
59 3.3

To look at something carefully to see what it is like

stresses official checking for quality, condition, or compliance more often
to scope
vsto inspect
48 3.7

To look carefully at something to learn about it

is usually an official check for quality condition or compliance
to peruse
vsto inspect
32 7.0

To read something slowly and carefully to understand it

is used more broadly for practical checks beyond detailed reading
to check over
vsto inspect
10 2.8

To look at something carefully to find mistakes or problems

is used especially for formal or official examination for compliance
to appraise
vsto inspect
8 4.8

To judge how good or how much something is worth

is less about monetary value and more about condition or rule following
to check through
vsto inspect
4 3.2

To look at something carefully and check all its parts

often implies official checking rather than just covering every part
to put under the microscope
vsto inspect
  • Informal
1 4.2

Look at a report or plan very closely to find small mistakes

is less metaphorical and used for normal official or practical checks

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

243 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

How Careful

to scrutinize
  • US
70 6.2
to pore over
28 5.5
to examine
868 2.5
to inspect
202 2.5
to scan
127 2.7
to look
1.0
to glance
299 1.5

Surface Forms

inspect infinitive
inspected past
inspected past participle
inspecting present participle
inspects third person singular

Morphology

inspect = in + spect

The root 'spect' is a non-standalone combining form (not a common English word), so knowing the prefix 'in' alone does not allow a typical B1 learner to derive the meaning 'examine'.

Etymology

Inspect comes from Latin parts in- 'into' and specere 'to look'. So, think of it as 'looking into' something closely to check its condition.