What does "review" mean?
A second or subsequent reading of a text or artifact in an attempt to gain new insights.
Review
/ɹɪˈvjuː/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A second or subsequent reading of a text or artifact in an attempt to gain new insights.
- Grammar: review is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: critique, reassessment, abbreviation, abbreviature.
- Useful contrasts: disregard, finalization, forget.
- Usage evidence: Did you try to review the English lessons?
How to use "review"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "review" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "review" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "review" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "review" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "review" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "critique" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "review", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A second or subsequent reading of a text or artifact in an attempt to gain new insights. countable, uncountable
"I need to make a review of the book before I can understand it."
- 2 a subsequent examination of a patient for the purpose of monitoring earlier treatment wordnet
- 3 An account intended as a critical evaluation of a text or a piece of work. countable, uncountable
"The newspaper review was full of praise for the play."
- 4 a formal or official examination wordnet
- 5 A judicial reassessment of a case or an event. countable, uncountable
"The victims demanded a full judicial review of the case."
Show 14 more definitions
- 6 practice intended to polish performance or refresh the memory wordnet
- 7 A stage show made up of topical sketches etc. countable, uncountable
"The Cambridge Footlights Review launched many Monty Python faces."
- 8 (law) a judicial reexamination of the proceedings of a court (especially by an appellate court) wordnet
- 9 A survey of the available items or material. countable, uncountable
"The magazine contained a review of Paris restaurants."
- 10 a new appraisal or evaluation wordnet
- 11 A review article. countable, uncountable
- 12 an essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play) wordnet
- 13 A periodical which makes a survey of the arts or some other field. countable, uncountable
"The Times Literary Review is published in London."
- 14 a summary at the end that repeats the substance of a longer discussion wordnet
- 15 A military inspection or display for the benefit of superiors or VIPs. countable, uncountable
"The troops assembled for a review by the Queen."
- 16 a periodical that publishes critical essays on current affairs or literature or art wordnet
- 17 A forensic inspection to assess compliance with regulations or some code. countable, uncountable
"The regulators demanded a review against NYSE practices."
- 18 a variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians wordnet
- 19 (accounting) a service (less exhaustive than an audit) that provides some assurance to interested parties as to the reliability of financial data wordnet
Verb
- 1 To survey; to look broadly over.
"Before I tackle the question directly, I must briefly review historical approaches to the problem."
- 2 look at again; examine again wordnet
- 3 To write a critical evaluation of a new art work etc.; to write a review.
"The critic reviews every new play in London."
- 4 look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events); remember wordnet
- 5 To look back over in order to correct or edit; to revise.
""Keith Williams is reviewing his review," the source said. "The whole structure of the industry has changed since he wrote his report. [...]""
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 hold a review (of troops) wordnet
- 7 To look over again (something previously written or learned), especially in preparation for an examination. Canada, Philippines, US, sometimes, transitive
- 8 refresh one's memory wordnet
- 9 To view or see again; to look back on. obsolete
"Cam[illo] What I do next, ſhall be next to tell the King // Of this Eſcape, and whither they are bound: // Wherein my hope is, I ſhall ſo prevail, // To force him after: in whoſe company // I ſhall review Sicilia; for whoſe ſight, // I have a Woman’s Longing."
- 10 appraise critically wordnet
- 11 To retrace; to go over again. obsolete
"Shall I the long, laborious ſcene review, // And open all the wounds of Greece anew?"
Antonyms
Example
"Did you try to review the English lessons?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "review"?
Common synonyms include: critique, reassessment, abbreviation, abbreviature, abrege, abridgment.
How do you use "review" in a sentence?
Did you try to review the English lessons?
How do you pronounce "review"?
Pronounced /ɹɪˈvjuː/.
Etymology
From Middle English revewe, reveue, from Old French reveüe, revue (Modern French: revue), feminine form of reveü, past participle of reveoir (French: revoir), from Latin revideō, from re- +videō (“see, observe”) (English: video). Equivalent to re- + view. Compare retrospect. Doublet of revue.