Review

/rɪˈvjuː/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To examine or assess something carefully and critically, often to offer an opinion or make changes.

/rɪˈvjuː/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To examine or assess something critically.

The editor reviewed the manuscript before publication.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're looking at a movie and deciding if it's good or bad. That's a review! It's when you check something carefully to give your thoughts.

👶 For kids: To look at something again to see if it's good or bad.

More Examples

2

The team will review the budget before the next quarter.

3

I need to review the presentation slides.

How It's Used

Business

"The committee will review the proposal next week."

Education

"Students review their notes before the exam."

Arts

"The critic reviewed the new film."

2

A formal assessment or evaluation of something, often offering an opinion or summary of its merits and flaws.

/rɪˈvjuː/

nounneutralBeginner
Information

A formal assessment of something.

The book received excellent reviews.

💡 Simply: A review is like reading someone's thoughts about a book, movie, or product. It's a summary and a judgment, good or bad!

👶 For kids: When someone tells you if a book, toy, or movie is good or bad.

More Examples

2

The annual performance review is an important part of the job.

3

The magazine published a review of the new album.

How It's Used

Journalism

"The newspaper published a review of the new restaurant."

Business

"The company conducted an annual performance review."

Academics

"A literature review is required for the research paper."

Tip:A REVIEW is like a RE-VIEW: a second look, often with critical analysis.
3

A general survey, summary, or examination of a subject or topic.

/rɪˈvjuː/

nounneutralmedium
Information

A general survey or summary of something.

Before the test, we did a review of the key concepts.

💡 Simply: Imagine giving a quick summary or a recap of a topic. Like a quick check-up of what you've already learned.

👶 For kids: When you go over something again.

More Examples

2

The committee conducted a review of the company's policies.

3

The professor began the lecture with a review of the previous lecture.

How It's Used

Education

"The teacher gave us a review of the previous lesson before starting a new chapter."

Legal

"The court conducted a review of the case."

General

"She provided a review of her weekend plans."

Tip:A review here is like a RE-VIEW: looking again at a big picture.

Idioms & expressions

under review

Being examined or assessed.

"The proposal is currently under review by the committee."

peer review

The evaluation of work by people in the same field.

"The scientific journal uses a rigorous peer review process."

From Old French *revoir* meaning "to see again," from *re-* "again" + *voir* "to see" (Latin *vidēre*).

The verb 'review' has been used in English since the early 14th century, initially meaning 'to view or consider again'. The noun form followed, initially in a military context (a formal inspection of troops) and later to general usage.

Memory tip

Think of RE-VIEWING something: looking at it again to form an opinion.

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"to see again, revisit"

performance reviewproduct reviewpeer reviewliterary reviewcritical reviewunder review

Common misspellings

reivewreveiwrevue

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written