inspect
Americanverb (used with object)
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inspects,
present (3rd person singular)
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inspected,
past participle, past
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inspecting
present participle
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to look carefully at or over; view closely and critically.
to inspect every part of the motor.
- Synonyms:
- study, investigate, scrutinize, examine
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to view or examine formally or officially.
The general inspected the troops.
verb
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to examine closely, esp for faults or errors
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to scrutinize officially (a document, military personnel on ceremonial parade, etc)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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inspectabilitynoun
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inspectionnoun
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preinspectverb (used with object)
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reinspectverb (used with object)
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inspectableadjective
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inspectionaladjective
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inspectiveadjective
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quasi-inspectedadjective
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self-inspectedadjective
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uninspectedadjective
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well-inspectedadjective
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inspectinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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inspectsimple
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inspectssimple
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have inspectedperfect
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has inspectedperfect
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am inspectingprogressive
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are inspectingprogressive
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is inspectingprogressive
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have been inspectingperfect progressive
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has been inspectingperfect progressive
Past
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inspectedsimple
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had inspectedperfect
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was inspectingprogressive
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were inspectingprogressive
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had been inspectingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of inspect
First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin inspectus “looked into,” past participle of inspicere “to look into,” from in in- 2 + -spicere, combining form of specere “to look, regard, see”
Explanation
When you inspect something, you look at it carefully. When you're buying a used car, you should inspect it inside and out, and if you don't know much about what goes on under the hood, you should have a mechanic inspect it, too. Inspect means literally "to look into," and includes the Latin root that you find in lots of other words related to "look" — spectacle, respect, and spectator for instance. If you work in a restaurant, you may see a health department official come to inspect the operation, to make sure everything is clean and the food is stored and cooked properly and that the restaurant doesn't have any health code violations that might make your diners sick.
Vocabulary lists containing inspect
Common Senses: Spec, Spect, Spic ("Look")
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Copper Sun
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Boy: Tales of Childhood
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
They can inspect without advance notice, and they have authority over medical spas and clinics, which isn’t the case in most states.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
Guan said Nepalese authorities had tried to send a helicopter to inspect the area because road access had been cut off, but strong winds were making it difficult for the aircraft to reach the site.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
My friend held up a chicken finger for me to inspect.
From Slate ● Aug. 24, 2026
Asked why Edison let brush grow below the idle line, Dunleavy said, “We inspect and maintain all our equipment according to existing regulations and laws.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
“Ah. That was some lunch, wasn’t it, old man?” he said around the cigar clamped in his teeth, holding the glasses to the light to inspect them for dust.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
And Oracle independently inspects and verifies every piece of the application’s source code and each software update.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
Adalberto Maypora, a well-known character around town, inspects his fishing boat on a deserted beach nestled between cliffs.
From Barron's ● Jul. 18, 2026
The body also inspects some independent schools in England, while others are assessed by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
From BBC ● Apr. 30, 2026
The PCAOB, which regulates the accounting firms that audit U.S.-listed companies, sets audit standards, inspects audits and disciplines firms for violations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 19, 2025
He digs inside his ear and inspects his findings.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
New homes are inspected several times during construction by either local council building inspectors or a registered building control approver, to make sure they meet legal, national building regulations.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
Matwa said that every boat is "thoroughly" inspected so that no suspect cases slips by.
From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026
Investigators are still examining how the track was inspected and maintained, the condition of the embankment and whether hot weather may have played a role, external.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
“Cal/OSHA has cited 94% of inspected shops for violations, and 20% required emergency shutdown orders,” the petition states.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
Once their small suitcases were collected from the luggage carousel, they proceeded through customs, had their luggage inspected, and then finally exited the wide double doors.
From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai
China's Premier Li Qiang was quickly despatched to the region, where he was seen inspecting debris removal - a rare visit by the country's second-most important leader so soon after a major disaster.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026
Two weeks later, I noticed the fire and safety team walking through the prison, holding clipboards, testing alarms, and inspecting extinguishers.
From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026
Under the warrant, county officials were also inspecting the property to determine whether the foundation was in compliance with building and land use codes and regulations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
On Saturday, ten days after the earthquakes that have left 2,954 dead and thousands still missing, Brazilian and Spanish missions continued inspecting destroyed areas alongside their dogs.
From Barron's ● Jul. 5, 2026
Jason ran his hand over the small quilt, inspecting every single knitted image.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
