# examine

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/ · frequency rank #5,325

## Definitions
1. To observe or inspect carefully or critically.
2. To check the health or condition of something or someone.
3. To determine the aptitude, skills or qualifications of someone by subjecting them to an examination.
4. To interrogate.

## Etymology
From Middle English examinen, examenen, from Old French examiner, from Latin exāmināre.

## Easily confused with
- **example** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/examine-vs-example)
- **examined** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/examine-vs-examined)
- **examiner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/examine-vs-examiner)
- **Elaine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elaine-vs-examine)

## Common misspellings (9)
`eaxmine`, `exaimne`, `examien`, `examinne`, `exammine`, `examnie`, `exmaine`, `exxamine`, `xeamine`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/examine