review
review — verb
- reviewpresent simple I / you / we / they
- reviews3rd person singular
- reviewing-ing form
- reviewedpast simple
1. to look carefully again at a situation, process, or set of facts, especially in
to look carefully again at a situation, process, or set of facts, especially in order to decide whether to make changes
The headteacher will review the school dress code after the meeting with parents.
collocation: review a policy / code / decision
Niran asked his team to review the project budget before the deadline.
The court agreed to review the new evidence presented by the defence lawyer.
City officials are reviewing safety rules at public swimming pools this month.
present progressive: are reviewing
- review a policy
- review a decision
- review the evidence
- review the situation
- review the budget
- examine
more detailed and thorough; suggests looking at every part
- reconsider
focuses on changing an earlier decision or opinion
- assess
emphasises judging the quality or value of something
- ignore
to pay no attention to something
Grammar Patterns
review + noun phrase
Usage Note
Often used in professional or formal settings. The subject is usually a person or group with authority.
Common Mistakes
2. to write or broadcast your personal opinion about a new book, film, play, produc
to write or broadcast your personal opinion about a new book, film, play, product, or performance, judging its quality
Selim reviews new restaurants for a local food magazine.
subject = journalist; object = cultural product
Anya was asked to review the novel before its official publication date.
The theatre critic reviewed the play on opening night.
Leo reviewed three different laptops and recommended the cheapest model to his readers.
- review a film
- review a book
- review a product
- review a restaurant
- review a play
Grammar Patterns
review + noun phrase
review + noun phrase + for + noun phrase
Usage Note
The subject is typically a critic, journalist, or blogger. The object is a creative or commercial product.
Common Mistakes
3. to examine and comment on the main ideas and findings of a scholarly study or pi
to examine and comment on the main ideas and findings of a scholarly study or piece of academic work
Dr. Okafor was asked to review a research paper for a medical journal.
academic register: review a paper for a journal
Mateo reviewed several recent studies on climate change for his thesis introduction.
The professor reviewed the student's methodology and found several weak points in the data analysis.
The journal asked three experts to review the manuscript before deciding whether to publish it.
peer review: experts review a manuscript
- review a paper
- review research
- review a study
- review the literature
Grammar Patterns
review + noun phrase
review + noun phrase + for + noun phrase
Usage Note
Common in academic writing. The object is typically a paper, study, article, or research finding.
4. when a senior commander or important visitor officially inspects military troops
when a senior commander or important visitor officially inspects military troops during a formal ceremony
The general reviewed the troops during the annual military ceremony.
formal register: review troops / review the fleet
The president reviewed the naval fleet from the deck of the command ship.
Dressed in full uniform, the colonel reviewed the soldiers lined up in the square.
The visiting ambassador reviewed the honour guard at the airport.
- review the troops
- review the fleet
- review the guard
Grammar Patterns
review + noun phrase (military force)
Usage Note
Almost always appears in formal military contexts. The subject is a high-ranking official. This sense is less common in everyday English.
5. to go over notes, lessons, or subject material that you studied before, particul
to go over notes, lessons, or subject material that you studied before, particularly when getting ready for an examination
Sivan reviewed her science notes the night before the big exam.
collocation: review notes / material for [test]
Mark reviewed the vocabulary list on the bus to school.
Constanza reviewed the grammar rules before writing her essay.
The whole class spent Friday afternoon reviewing for next week's test.
intransitive use: reviewing for [test]
- review notes
- review material
- review for a test
- review a lesson
- review vocabulary
Grammar Patterns
review + noun phrase
review (no object)
Usage Note
Common in educational contexts. In British English, 'revise' is more common for this meaning. Can be used without an object when the topic is clear.
Common Mistakes
review — noun
- reviewsingular
- reviewsplural
1. the process of carefully examining a situation, policy, or set of facts again, e
the process of carefully examining a situation, policy, or set of facts again, especially to decide whether changes are needed
The government ordered a full review of the education system.
collocation: order / conduct a review
A safety review of the factory found several serious problems.
The committee completed its review of the funding proposal last week.
The new policy is currently under review by the legal team.
phrase: under review
- a review of
- under review
- conduct a review
- carry out a review
- a full review
- a safety review
- examination
broader; does not necessarily imply looking again
- assessment
focuses on judging quality rather than deciding on changes
Grammar Patterns
a review of + noun phrase
under review
Usage Note
Often followed by 'of' + the thing being examined. The phrase 'under review' means the examination is happening now.
2. a piece of writing or a programme in which a person shares their assessment of a
a piece of writing or a programme in which a person shares their assessment of a recently released book, movie, stage show, item, or live event
The film review in today's newspaper gave the movie four stars out of five.
collocation: write / publish a review
Arjun read a book review online and decided to buy the novel.
Her review of the concert appeared on a popular music blog.
The restaurant review praised the homemade pasta but criticised the slow service.
- a review of
- write a review
- publish a review
- read a review
- film review
- book review
- restaurant review
- critique
more detailed and analytical; usually longer than a typical review
- commentary
broader; may include background analysis, not just opinion
Grammar Patterns
a review of + noun phrase
write / publish a review
Usage Note
Can be shortened to just 'review' when context is clear. Typically appears in newspapers, magazines, blogs, or on review websites.
Common Mistakes
3. a scholarly article that summarises and evaluates the key ideas, methods, and fi
a scholarly article that summarises and evaluates the key ideas, methods, and findings of academic research
The journal published a detailed review of recent cancer research.
academic register: a review in a journal
Jason wrote a literature review for the first chapter of his dissertation.
compound term: literature review
A review of the study pointed out several flaws in the methodology.
The student submitted a review of two competing theories in cognitive psychology.
- literature review
- a review of research
- publish a review
- a review article
Grammar Patterns
a review of + noun phrase (academic work)
Usage Note
In academic writing, a 'literature review' is a specific type of article that surveys existing research on a topic.
4. the pages within a periodical or online publication that carry reviews of books,
the pages within a periodical or online publication that carry reviews of books, movies, art, and other cultural subjects
The Sunday newspaper has a large arts and reviews section.
collocation: reviews section / review pages
Nia reads the review section of the magazine every Saturday morning.
The travel review in the weekend supplement made Liang want to visit Kyoto.
The newspaper's review pages cover everything from opera to video games.
- reviews section
- review pages
- arts and reviews
- the Sunday review
- arts section
broader; may include articles, interviews, and previews, not just reviews
Grammar Patterns
the reviews section
the review pages
Usage Note
Usually appears as 'the reviews' or 'the review section/ pages'. Often part of a larger 'arts' or 'culture' section.
5. a ceremonial military occasion in which soldiers parade before and are formally
a ceremonial military occasion in which soldiers parade before and are formally inspected by a high-ranking dignitary or commanding officer
The general held a review of the troops at sunrise.
formal register: hold a review of [troops]
Thousands of soldiers took part in the military review for the visiting president.
The military review included a flyover by fighter jets and a parade of tanks.
The naval review featured warships from twelve different countries.
- military review
- hold a review
- a review of troops
- a naval review
- parade
more general; focuses on the marching display
- inspection
emphasises the checking of appearance and readiness
Grammar Patterns
a review of + military force
hold a review
Usage Note
Synonymous in this sense with 'military parade' or 'inspection'. Less common in everyday English except in historical or news contexts.
6. a type of live stage entertainment that combines comedy sketches, songs, and dan
a type of live stage entertainment that combines comedy sketches, songs, and dancing, often making humorous comments on current events
The theatre put on a comedy review that poked fun at local politicians.
collocation: comedy / musical review
Niran and Selim wrote a musical review about life in the big city.
The end-of-year review at the school featured songs and short plays written by students.
The audience loved the satirical review that made fun of the latest celebrity scandals.
- comedy review
- musical review
- stage review
- revue
the French spelling, commonly used for this theatrical form
- variety show
similar format but often less focused on satire or current events
Grammar Patterns
a + adjective + review
Usage Note
Historically spelled 'revue' from French. This sense is distinct from the more common 'review' meanings and is largely limited to theatrical contexts.
7. information, notes, or practice exercises that help you go over material you hav
information, notes, or practice exercises that help you go over material you have already learned, especially before a test
The teacher gave us a grammar review before the final exam.
collocation: grammar review / vocabulary review
Sivan bought a review book with practice tests for the university entrance exam.
The review questions at the end of each chapter help you check your understanding.
collocation: review questions / exercises
Anya spent the afternoon doing a quick review of all the key formulas.
- grammar review
- vocabulary review
- review questions
- review book
- review sheet
- quick review
Grammar Patterns
a review of + noun phrase
review questions / exercises
Usage Note
Often used in textbook or classroom contexts. Can appear in compounds like 'review sheet', 'review book', or 'review questions'.
pass in review
idiomwhen soldiers march past an important person during a military ceremony
The soldiers passed in review before the president.
under review
idiombeing officially examined or considered at the present time
The company's safety procedures are currently under review after the accident.
Word family
- reviewernounB1
- reviewableadjectiveC1
- previewnounB1
- previewverbB1
- peer-reviewedadjectiveC1
- reviewingnounB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
Review means to look at something again, often to decide if changes are needed — it is the broadest term and the most neutral. Examine is more thorough: you look closely at every part, often with great care, like a doctor examining a patient. Assess focuses on measuring or judging the quality, value, or size of something against a standard, such as teachers assessing students' progress. Reconsider means to think again about a decision or opinion, often because new information has come to light, and it usually implies the possibility of changing your mind. For example: 'The committee reviewed the hiring process and made small improvements.' 'An engineer examined the bridge for cracks.' 'The insurance company assessed the damage after the storm.' 'After hearing her side of the story, he reconsidered his decision to fire her.'
Common collocations
Nouns
- policy review
- performance review
- budget review
- safety review
- peer review
Adverbs
- carefully review
- thoroughly review
- briefly review
- formally review
Phrases
- under review
- subject to review
- review board
- review process
Prepositions
- review of
- review for
- under review
- review by
Etymology
The English word 'review' comes from the Middle French 'reveue', meaning 'a seeing again' — the past participle of 'revoir' ('to see again'), which itself is formed from the prefix 're-' ('again') plus 'voir' ('to see'), from Latin 'videre' ('to see'). The word entered English in the 15th century with the literal sense of 'to see again'. By the 16th century, it had developed the meaning of 'to examine critically' and, soon after, 'to inspect military forces'. The sense of writing opinions on books and plays came into use in the 17th and 18th centuries, alongside the rise of literary journalism.