exam
ex·am
(ĭg-zăm′)n.
An examination; a test.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
exam
(ɪɡˈzæm)Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ex•am
(ɪgˈzæm)n.
Informal. an examination, as in school.
[1875–80]
exam.
1. examination.
2. examined.
3. examinee.
4. examiner.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
exam
– examinationAn exam or examination is an official test that shows your knowledge or ability in a particular subject. Exam is the word most commonly used. Examination is more formal and is used mainly in written English.
I was told the exam was difficult.
All students must take a three-hour written examination.
When someone takes part in an exam, you say that they take it or sit it.
Many children want to take these exams.
After the third term we'll be sitting the exam.
Speakers of American English generally use take instead of 'sit'.
In conversation, you can also say that someone does an exam.
I did my exams last week.
If someone is successful in an exam, you say that they pass it.
If you want a good job, you'll have to pass your exams.
Be Careful!
To pass an exam always means to succeed in it. It does not mean to take part in it.
If someone is unsuccessful in an exam, you say that they fail it.
He failed the entrance exam.
I passed the written part but then failed the oral section hopelessly.
You also say that someone passes in or fails in a particular subject.
I've been told that I'll probably pass in English and French.
I failed in a few other subjects.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. |  exam - a set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge; "when the test was stolen the professor had to make a new set of questions"communicating, communication - the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information; "they could not act without official communication from Moscow" bar exam, bar examination - an examination conducted at regular intervals to determine whether a candidate is qualified to practice law in a given jurisdiction; "applicants may qualify to take the New York bar examination by graduating from an approved law school"; "he passed the bar exam on his third try" comp, comprehensive, comprehensive examination - an intensive examination testing a student's proficiency in some special field of knowledge; "she took her comps in English literature" litmus test - a test that relies on a single indicator; "her litmus test for good breeding is whether you split infinitives" quiz - an examination consisting of a few short questions tripos - final honors degree examinations at Cambridge University |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
exam
noun
1. test, examination, assessment, evaluation, research, paper, investigation, practical, quiz, oral, appraisal, catechism He failed his maths exam and had to retake it.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
exam
noun1. A set of questions or exercises designed to determine knowledge or skill:
2. A medical inquiry into a patient's state of health:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.