review
review
Pronunciation
/rɪˈvjuː/.
First Syllable (re-):
/r/ - Voiced alveolar approximant
/ɪ/ - Near-close near-front unrounded vowel
Second Syllable (-view):
/v/ - Voiced labiodental fricative
/j/ - Voiced palatal approximant (often perceived as part of the vowel sound in this context, forming a diphthong /juː/)
/uː/ - Close back rounded vowel.
Word Form Variations
As a Noun:
Singular: review (e.g., "The book received a positive review.")
Plural: reviews (e.g., "The movie got excellent reviews.")
As a Verb:
Base Form: review (e.g., "I need to review the report.")
Third-person singular present: reviews (e.g., "He reviews all the applications.")
Past Simple: reviewed (e.g., "She reviewed the evidence carefully.")
Past Participle: reviewed (e.g., "The case has been reviewed.")
Present Participle / Gerund: reviewing (e.g., "They are reviewing the new policy.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
As a Noun
Definitions:
A critical assessment or evaluation of something, often written or spoken, that analyzes its quality, performance, or content.
Example: "The tech blogger published a comprehensive review of the new smartphone, highlighting its pros and cons."
Example: "Her supervisor conducted an annual performance review to discuss her progress."
A formal or official inspection of something, typically to ensure it meets certain standards or requirements.
Example: "The government ordered a safety review of all amusement park rides after the incident."
A process of re-examining or going over something again, often for the purpose of improvement, correction, or memorization.
Example: "Before the exam, we did a quick review of the key concepts."
A theatrical or musical production consisting of a series of short, varied acts, often with a satirical or topical theme.
Example: "The end-of-year show was a lively review featuring skits and musical numbers."
Synonyms:
Assessment
Critique
Evaluation
Examination
Inspection
Appraisal
Analysis
Recap
Survey
Audit
Antonyms:
(No direct antonyms as a noun, but concepts like "neglect" or "disregard" could be considered in a very broad, indirect sense of not performing a review.)
As a Verb
Definitions:
To critically assess or evaluate something, often by examining its various aspects, in order to form an opinion or judgment.
Example: "The critics will review the new play tonight."
Example: "Please review my proposal before I submit it."
To conduct a formal or official inspection of something, typically to check its condition, compliance, or effectiveness.
Example: "The auditors will review the company's financial records next week."
To re-examine or go over something again, often with the aim of improving, correcting, or reinforcing understanding.
Example: "Students should review their notes regularly to prepare for exams."
Example: "We need to review our strategy for the second half of the year."
To look back on or recall past events or experiences.
Example: "She liked to review the day's events before going to sleep."
Synonyms:
Assess
Critique
Evaluate
Examine
Inspect
Appraise
Analyze
Reconsider
Re-examine
Scan
Study
Recap
Recollect (in the sense of reviewing memories)
Antonyms:
Ignore
Disregard
Neglect
Overlook
Skip
Forget (when reviewing means recalling)
Examples of Use
Books:
"His latest novel has received rave reviews from critics and readers alike, praising its intricate plot and compelling characters." (From a hypothetical book jacket blurb)
"In The Selfish Gene, Richard Dawkins offers a powerful review of evolutionary theory from a gene-centric perspective." (Referring to the content of the book)
Newspapers:
"The County Council announced a comprehensive review of public transport infrastructure following widespread complaints about service delays." (East African Standard)
"Film critic Peter Travers provided a scathing review of the blockbuster, calling it 'a triumph of special effects over substance.'" (Rolling Stone)
Online Publications:
"TechCrunch published an in-depth review of Apple's new Vision Pro headset, detailing its features and user experience." (TechCrunch)
"Before purchasing, always review the privacy policy of any new app you download to understand how your data will be used." (Wired.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television: "On tonight's episode, our panel of experts will review the most significant news stories of the week." (From a news commentary show)
Video Games: "IGN gave the new open-world RPG a 9/10, citing its innovative gameplay mechanics in their comprehensive review." (IGN.com)
Music Streaming: "Check out the top-rated listener reviews for Taylor Swift's latest album on Spotify." (A common feature on music streaming platforms)
Podcasts: "In their latest podcast episode, 'The Film Freaks' review the classic horror movie 'Psycho' in great detail." (From a podcast description)
General Public Discourse:
"I need to review my notes before the presentation tomorrow morning." (A common statement among students or professionals)
"The restaurant's online reviews are mixed, so I'm not sure if we should try it tonight." (A casual conversation about choosing a restaurant)
"Let's review the plan one more time to make sure we haven't missed anything." (A statement often used in team meetings or planning sessions)
"My boss told me my performance review is scheduled for next month." (A common phrase in workplace discussions)
10 Quotes Using Review
"Every man's life, naturally, is a review of his own thoughts and actions." (Michel de Montaigne, Essays)
"The first duty of a revolutionary is to review history." (Mao Zedong)
"No one likes to have his work hated, but no one likes to have it ignored. Criticism is a kind of review." (John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath)
"We are inclined to review our lives and see if there are not some wrongs that we can right, some good that we can do." (Joseph B. Wirthlin)
"A good critic can make you review your opinions about a particular work of art, and you can come to an even deeper understanding of it." (Anish Kapoor)
"There is nothing more beautiful than to review the life from the beginning till the end in the beautiful memories." (P. V. Narasimha Rao)
"Before you become too entranced with beauty, review your character." (Epictetus)
"My method is to take the sound of a word and review it over and over again until it forms a picture." (William Shakespeare, often paraphrased in discussions of his creative process)
"One of the great tasks of life is to review our expectations and align them with reality." (Unknown)
"A man should always review his life and see if he's doing the right thing." (Muhammad Ali)
Etymology
The word "review" comes from French, specifically from the Old French word "reveüe" or "revue," which was the past participle of "reveoir," meaning "to see again." This, in turn, traces back to Latin, combining "re-" (meaning "again") with "videre" (meaning "to see"). So, at its core, "review" literally means "to see again."
The first known use of "review" as a noun in English was around 1441. At that time, its primary meaning was a "formal inspection of military forces" by a higher-ranking official. Imagine a general "seeing again" or inspecting his troops to check on their readiness and training.
Over time, the meaning broadened. By the mid-1500s, it started to mean "a critical examination of something, especially a literary or artistic work." The idea was still about "seeing again" or looking over something carefully to form an opinion. Later, it expanded to cover any re-examination or survey of a subject, whether for correction, improvement, or simply to recall information.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Review
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "review":
In review: Under consideration or being examined.
Under review: The same as "in review," often used in official contexts (e.g., "The policy is under review").
Peer review: The evaluation of a work by one or more people with similar competencies as the producers of the work.
Performance review: A regular evaluation of an employee's work performance.
Judicial review: The process by which a court determines if a law, action, or decision is constitutional or legal.
To pass in review: To parade before an inspector, or to be presented sequentially for examination.
To review one's options: To consider available choices.
To come up for review: To be scheduled for re-evaluation or reconsideration.
Critical review: A detailed analysis and evaluation of something, often highlighting flaws as well as merits.
A glowing review: A very positive and complimentary assessment.
A scathing review: A harshly critical and negative assessment.
To get a good review: To receive positive feedback or evaluation.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of review from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
