What does scrutinise mean?
To scrutinise something is to examine it very carefully, paying close attention to its details, claims, evidence, or possible faults. The verb suggests more than merely looking over a document: it implies a deliberate attempt to identify weaknesses, inconsistencies, or important features. It is commonly used in formal contexts such as law, government, finance, research, and academic criticism, as in scrutinising a proposal or scrutinising evidence. The word can also describe a close visual examination, although its frequent figurative use carries a slightly critical or evaluative tone. Related forms include the noun scrutiny, meaning careful examination or critical analysis, and the noun scrutinizer, meaning a person who scrutinises something. In British English, the verb is normally spelled scrutinise, while American English generally uses scrutinize.
verbTo examine something very carefully and in detail, especially in order to identify problems or important features.
- To examine something closely and carefully, especially for errors, flaws, or notable details.
"The committee scrutinised the proposal before recommending it for approval."
"Regulators scrutinised the financial statements for signs of misrepresentation."
"The bill was scrutinised in detail before being passed by Parliament."
Scrutinise means to look beneath the surface: it comes from the Latin scrutinium, associated with examining things piece by piece.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scrutinise come from?
The word comes through French from the Latin scrutinium, a term associated with examining or investigating, originally with the notion of examining things piece by piece. It developed into an English verb meaning to examine closely or investigate thoroughly. The same Latin root also underlies the English noun scrutiny and the related adjective scrutinous, meaning exacting or critically attentive.
Related word forms
How scrutinise is actually used
The word is formal and conveys sustained, exact scrutiny rather than a quick or superficial look. The British spelling is scrutinise; the US spelling is scrutinize.
Easily confused with scrutinise
Scrutinise is the standard British spelling, while scrutinize is the standard US spelling.