test

noun countable

UK /test/

Word Forms

singular	test
plural	tests

1
a set of written or spoken questions used for finding out how much someone knows about a subject. A test is less formal than an exam
Did you get a good mark in your physics test?
a chemistry/French/history test
pass/fail a test:
I know I’m going to fail this test.
do/take/sit a test:
You’re going to have to take the test again.
Synonyms and related words
General words for exams and taking exams
assessment
borderline
candidate
1. 1a
  a series of actions that someone must perform to show how well they can do a particular activity
  I’m still too young to take my driving test.
  For the cookery test we have to make a chocolate mousse.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for tests and testing
  test
  trial
  experiment
2
an examination of a part of your body or of a substance taken from your body
an eye/hearing test
test for:
a test for HIV/cancer
run a test (=perform one):
We’ll run a few blood tests.
test results:
Your test results are fine.
Synonyms and related words
Medical tests and examinations
amniocentesis
autopsy
biopsy
3
a process designed to find out whether something such as a machine or weapon works correctly or whether a product is satisfactory
nuclear tests in the Pacific
conduct/perform a test:
Trading Standards officers conducted tests on more than 220 electric blankets.
Synonyms and related words
General words for tests and testing
test
trial
experiment
1. 3a
  a process designed to find out whether a particular substance is present in another substance
  test for:
  The tests for dioxin showed high levels were present.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for tests and testing
  test
  trial
  experiment
4
a difficult situation that shows what qualities someone or something has
test of:
These elections are seen as a test of party strength.
test of:
Last week’s game was a stern test of our character.
Synonyms and related words
Difficult situations and experiences
crisis
battle
nightmare
5
Britishinformala test match
Synonyms and related words
Cricket
the Ashes
at stumps
bail

phrases

put someone/something to the test

stand the test of time

test

noun countable

US /test/

Word Forms

singular	test
plural	tests

1
a set of written or spoken questions used for finding out how much someone knows about a subject. A test is less formal than an exam, and more formal than a quiz.
Mike did really well on yesterday’s test.
Did you get a good grade on your physics test?
a chemistry/French/history test
do/take a test:
You’re going to have to take the test again.
pass/fail a test:
I know I’m going to fail this test.
Synonyms and related words
General words for exams and taking exams
assessment
borderline
candidate
1. 1a
  a series of actions that someone must perform to show how well they can do a particular activity
  I’m still too young to take my driving test.
  For the cooking test we have to make a chocolate mousse.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for tests and testing
  test
  trial
  experiment
2
an examination of a part of your body or of a substance taken from your body
an eye/hearing test
test for:
a test for HIV/cancer
run a test (=perform one):
We’ll run a few blood tests.
test results:
Your test results are fine.
Synonyms and related words
Medical tests and examinations
amniocentesis
autopsy
biopsy
3
a process designed to find out whether something such as a machine or weapon works correctly or whether a product is satisfactory
nuclear tests in the Pacific
conduct/perform a test:
Consumer Reports conducted tests on more than 220 electric blankets.
Synonyms and related words
General words for tests and testing
test
trial
experiment
1. 3a
  a process designed to find out whether a particular substance is present in another substance
  test for:
  The tests for dioxin showed high levels were present.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for tests and testing
  test
  trial
  experiment
4
a difficult situation that shows what qualities someone or something has
test of:
Living on the eighth floor is a kind of endurance test, since the elevator never works.
test of:
Last week’s game was a stern test of our character.
Synonyms and related words
Difficult situations and experiences
crisis
battle
nightmare
5
Britishinformala test match
Synonyms and related words
Cricket
bat
batsman
batting average

phrases

put someone/something to the test

stand the test of time

test

verb

UK /test/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	test
he/she/it	tests
present participle	testing
past tense	tested
past participle	tested

1
transitive to find out how much someone knows, or how well they can do something by giving them a set of questions to answer or an activity to perform
The aim of the examination is to test your writing skills.
test someone on something:
You won’t be tested on anything that you haven’t already studied.
Synonyms and related words
To test something or someone
test
try out
put through
2
transitive to examine someone’s body to check that it is in good condition, or to find out if they have a particular illness
Debbie has to have her eyes tested.
test someone for something:
She was tested for cancer.
Synonyms and related words
The work or job of a doctor or nurse
admit
bedside manner
be on call
1. 2a
  intransitive to produce a particular result after taking a medical test
  test negative/positive (for something):
  He tested negative for HIV.
  Synonyms and related words
  To perform a medical test, treatment or operation
  abort
  anaesthetise
  anaesthetize
3

test
or
test out
transitive to try using something such as a machine or a product to find out whether it works correctly or is satisfactory
The new product was tested in 1998 and launched in 1999.
The theory will be tested by computer simulation.
test something on something:
a skin-care system that isn’t tested on animals
Synonyms and related words
To make a machine or piece of equipment work
activate
actuate
coax
See alsotried
4
transitive to examine something to find out if it is satisfactory, or if it has a particular quality
Test the potatoes to see if they’re cooked.
test something for something:
How do you test a melon for ripeness?
Synonyms and related words
To study, check or examine something
study
check
examine
5
transitive to show how good or effective someone or something is by putting pressure on them
Political loyalties could be severely tested by these demonstrations.
Synonyms and related words
To test something or someone
test
try out
put through

phrases

test the water(s)

phrasal verbs

test out

test

verb

US /test/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	test
he/she/it	tests
present participle	testing
past tense	tested
past participle	tested

1
transitive to find out how much someone knows, or how well they can do something by giving them a set of questions to answer or an activity to perform
The aim of the examination is to test your writing skills.
test someone on something:
You won’t be tested on anything that you haven’t already studied.
Synonyms and related words
To test something or someone
test
try out
put through
2
transitive to examine someone’s body to check that it is in good condition, or to find out if they have a particular illness
Debbie has to have her eyes tested.
test someone for something:
She was tested for cancer.
Synonyms and related words
The work or job of a doctor or nurse
admit
bedside manner
be on call
1. 2a
  intransitive to produce a particular result after taking a medical test
  test negative/positive (for something):
  He tested negative for HIV.
  Synonyms and related words
  To perform a medical test, treatment or operation
  abort
  anaesthetize
  anesthetize
3
transitive to show how good or effective someone or something is by putting pressure on them
Political loyalties could be severely tested by these demonstrations.
Synonyms and related words
To test something or someone
test
try out
put through
4

test
or
test out
transitive to try using something such as a machine or a product to find out whether it works correctly or is satisfactory
The new product was tested in 1998 and launched in 1999.
The theory will be tested by computer simulation.
test something on something:
a skin-care system that isn’t tested on animals
Synonyms and related words
To make a machine or piece of equipment work
activate
actuate
coax
See alsotried
5
transitive to examine something to find out if it is satisfactory, or if it has a particular quality
Test the potatoes to see if they’re cooked.
test something for something:
How do you test a melon for ripeness?
Synonyms and related words
To study, check or examine something
study
check
examine

phrases

test the water(s)

phrasal verbs

test out

test ​‌‌‌

test ​‌‌‌

test ​‌‌‌

test

test out

test ​‌‌‌

test

test out

test

test

test

test