What does examined mean?
"Examined" is the past tense and past participle of the verb "examine," meaning to look at something closely and systematically in order to understand it better or judge its condition. It appears across many domains: a scientist may have examined samples under a microscope, an accountant examined financial records, a customs officer examined luggage, and a doctor examined a patient. The word conveys deliberate, careful attention rather than a passing glance, which is why it often pairs with adverbs like "closely" or "carefully." In law, it has a specialized sense referring to the formal questioning of a witness. Derived ultimately from the Latin "examen," meaning a weighing or balance, the word carries a built-in metaphor of measuring something against a standard. Whether applied to objects, documents, ideas, or people, "examined" signals rigor and thoroughness, making it one of the most versatile verbs of inquiry in English.
verbPast tense and past participle of "examine": to inspect or scrutinize something closely and carefully in order to determine its nature, condition, or validity.
- To inspect or look at something closely and carefully in order to assess its condition, contents, or accuracy.
- To test someone's knowledge or skills formally, as in an academic or professional examination.
- (Medicine) To conduct a physical assessment of a patient or part of their body.
"The doctor examined the X-rays before making her diagnosis."
"The auditor examined every receipt before approving the expenses."
"The lawyer examined the witness for over three hours."
Every time you say "examined," you're echoing the ancient Roman practice of weighing metal coins on scales — the word's Latin ancestor literally meant the tongue of a balance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of examined
"Examined" derives from the Old French "examiner," which came from the Latin "examinare," meaning to weigh or test. The Latin root "examen" referred to the tongue or pointer of a balance used for weighing, and figuratively meant an evaluation or trial. English adopted the verb "examine" in the Middle Ages, and its derivative "examination" soon followed, giving rise to related forms such as "examiner" and the shortened "exam." The word's core sense of testing against a standard has remained remarkably stable throughout its history.
Related word forms
How examined is actually used
"Examined" is standard in both formal and informal registers. In legal contexts, it carries a technical sense of questioning a witness (direct examination versus cross-examination). In medical contexts, it implies a hands-on clinical assessment rather than casual observation.
Easily confused with examined
"Examined" means inspected closely, while "exhumed" means dug up from the ground, especially a buried body.