What does analysed mean?
'Analysed' is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'analyse', meaning to examine something carefully and systematically, often by breaking it down into its constituent parts in order to understand it better or draw conclusions from it. It is one of the most common verbs in academic, scientific, and professional writing, applied to everything from laboratory samples and datasets to literary texts and business performance. The word conveys rigour and thoroughness, suggesting that conclusions rest on careful scrutiny rather than casual impression. In British English it is spelled 'analysed', while American English prefers 'analyzed'; both derive from the same Greek root via Latin. Because so much modern work depends on interpreting evidence, 'analysed' remains an indispensable term for describing how knowledge is produced and verified.
verbPast tense and past participle of the verb 'analyse': to have examined something methodically and in detail, typically in order to explain or interpret it.
- To examine something methodically and in detail, breaking it into its component parts to understand or interpret it (e.g. data, texts, substances).
"The researchers analysed thousands of survey responses before publishing their findings."
"The lab analysed the water samples for traces of contamination."
"She analysed her opponent's playing style before the final match."
The word traces back to a Greek verb meaning 'to break up' or 'to loosen' — the same root that gives us 'paralysis', literally an inability to loosen.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of analysed
'Analysed' comes from the verb 'analyse', which entered English in the early 17th century, borrowed from the French 'analyser'. The underlying root is the ancient Greek 'analusis', meaning 'a breaking up' or 'loosening', formed from 'ana-' ('up, throughout') and 'lysis' ('a loosening'). This same Greek root gives English several other words, including 'catalysis', 'paralysis', and 'dialysis'. The '-yse/-yze' spelling split between British and American English developed later, paralleling similar divergences in other Greek-derived words.
Related word forms
How analysed is actually used
'Analysed' is the standard British spelling of the past tense; American English uses 'analyzed'. The word carries a formal, academic register and appears most often in scientific, medical, financial, and scholarly contexts.
Easily confused with analysed
'Analysed' uses the British spelling of the verb, while 'analyzed' is the American spelling — they mean exactly the same thing.