Spelling.School · How to spell

How to spell examine

What it means: To inspect or investigate something closely.

In a sentence: The detective will examine the footprints to solve the mystery. ▶

The part people get wrong

Watch for an unstressed vowel that is hard to hear. Often misspelled as examin or exaimine.

Same family: exam, examination, examiner, reexamine, investigate. If you can spell one, the shared part carries to the others.

Where it comes from: Examine comes from the Latin word 'examinare,' which originally meant 'to weigh' or 'to balance' on a scale. Over time, the meaning shifted to 'to test' or 'to inspect carefully,' as if weighing ideas or evidence in your mind.

Patterns it uses: The unstressed vowel (schwa)

Try spelling it

You will hear the word and a sentence. Type it and press Enter. Then four more words from the same level, so you know where you stand.

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