First Known Use: 1587
Dictionary
analyze
verb an·a·lyze \ˈa-nə-ˌlīz\
: to study (something) closely and carefully : to learn the nature and relationship of the parts of (something) by a close and careful examination
: to study the emotions and thoughts of (someone) by using psychoanalysis
an·a·lyzedan·a·lyz·ing
Full Definition of ANALYZE
transitive verb
2
: to subject to scientific or grammatical analysis
3
— an·a·lyz·abil·i·ty \ˌa-nə-ˌlī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— an·a·lyz·able \ˈa-nə-ˌlī-zə-bəl\ adjective
— an·a·lyz·er \-ˌlī-zər\ noun
See analyze defined for English-language learners
See analyze defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Examples of ANALYZE
- While Wroe offers some basic biographical information and quotes copiously from Shelley's writings, she does not tell a chronological story or analyze individual poems. —Adam Kirsch, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2007
- They are not doing the math. Doing the math would mean demonstrating that the voters' intuitive judgments are roughly what they would get if they analyzed the likely effects of candidates' policies, and this is a difficult calculation to perform. —Louis Menand, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2004
- Ms. Magazine's online daily weblog, written by Christine Cupaiuolo, analyzes the representation of women in media and popular culture. Here are excerpts from recent postings. —Ms., Fall 2003
- [+]more
Origin of ANALYZE
probably irregular from analysis
Related to ANALYZE
- Synonyms
- anatomize, assay, break down, cut, deconstruct, dissect
Synonym Discussion of ANALYZE
analyze, dissect, break down mean to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements. analyze suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships <analyzed the collected data>. dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny <commentators dissected every word of the speech>. break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions <break down the budget>.
ANALYZABLE Defined for Kids
analyze
verb an·a·lyze \ˈa-nə-ˌlīz\
an·a·lyzedan·a·lyz·ing
Definition of ANALYZE for Kids
1
: to examine something to find out what it is or what makes it work <The bacteria were analyzed under a powerful microscope.>
2
: to study carefully to understand the nature or meaning of <analyze a problem>
Medical Dictionary
analyze
transitive verb an·a·lyze
an·a·lyzed or British an·a·lysedan·a·lyz·ing or British an·a·lys·ing
Medical Definition of ANALYZE
1
: to study or determine the nature and relationship of the parts of by analysis; especially : to examine by chemical analysis
Variants of ANALYZE
an·a·lyze or British an·a·lyse \ˈan-əl-ˌīz\
Learn More About ANALYZE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: AnamirtaPrevious Word in the Dictionary: analyzationAll Words Near: analyze
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up analyze? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).