analyze

UK /ˈæn.ə.laɪz/ US /ˈæn.ə.laɪz/ Syllables: an-a-lyze

Pronunciation

Verb B2 Upper-intermediate Neutral

To examine something carefully, breaking it into parts to understand it better.

To analyze is to study something carefully by breaking it into its parts so that you can understand how it works or what it means. A scientist analyzes a sample, a student analyzes a poem, and a manager analyzes sales figures to find a pattern. Analysis often ends with a conclusion or a decision. In British English the word is spelled analyse.

"The team analyzed the survey results before writing their report."

Meanings

To study something in detail by looking at its parts.
To examine something in order to understand it.

Example sentences

"Scientists analyze the water to find out if it is safe."

Level B2, Meaning 1
"We analyzed the results of the survey."

Level B2, Meaning 1
"The students analyzed a short poem in class."

Level B2, Meaning 1
"She analyzes the market before she invests."

Level C1, Meaning 2

Synonyms and antonyms

Synonyms

examine study

Look-alikes and common mistakes

examine : Examine means to look closely. Analyze goes further and separates the thing into parts to explain it.

Word family and forms

Forms: analyzes, analyzed, analyzing

analysis analyst analytical analytic

Word partners

Words and phrases that often go with "analyze".

analyze data
analyze the results
analyze a problem
carefully analyze
analyze a text
analyze the situation

Origin

Analyze is probably built from the noun analysis, which comes from a Greek word meaning a breaking up or a loosening. To analyze is to loosen something into its parts.

Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Dictionary.com.

How to remember it

Analyze has "lyze", which is a Greek root meaning loosen: you loosen a problem to see its parts.

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "Scientists _____ the water to find out if it is safe."

Answer: analyze

In your own words, what does "analyze" mean?