scan
/skæn/ (bre, ipa) · /skæn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈskan/ (ame, mw)
scan — verb
- scanpresent simple I / you / we / they
- scanshe / she / it
- scannedpast simple
- scanning-ing form
1. to look closely across a whole area, surface, or document — often with a device
to look closely across a whole area, surface, or document — often with a device or just your eyes — hoping to spot a particular person, object, or detail you need.
Beatriz scanned the crowded square for her missing brother.
scan + noun phrase + for + [target]
The security guard scanned every bag at the entrance before letting anyone in.
With a small device, the technician scanned the old painting for signs of damage.
A group of rescuers scanned the hillside with binoculars after the hiker went missing.
The librarian scanned the shelf carefully, but the rare book was not there.
- examine
more general and can be slower and more thorough than scan
- scrutinize
suggests even closer, more critical attention; more formal
- survey
often refers to looking over a broad area from above or from a distance
- overlook
to fail to notice something despite looking
文法句型
scan + noun phrase
scan + noun phrase + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used with 'for' to specify what the searcher hopes to find. The subject is typically a person or a device designed to examine surfaces or areas.
常見錯誤
2. to run your eyes over a piece of writing quickly, skipping many words, with the
to run your eyes over a piece of writing quickly, skipping many words, with the goal of spotting a specific fact or grasping the key ideas without reading every sentence.
Diya scanned the article looking only for mentions of the new policy.
scan + noun phrase + for + [information]
Before the meeting, Henrik scanned the agenda to check the time of his presentation.
Eli scanned the menu quickly and ordered the pasta special.
The students were told to scan each chapter for key vocabulary before reading it properly.
Yael scanned the job listings each morning until she found a position she liked.
- skim
very similar, but 'skim' focuses on getting the general idea, while 'scan' focuses on locating a specific detail
- browse
more casual and less purposeful; suggests looking at items without a clear target
- glance through
even faster and less detailed than scan; more informal
文法句型
scan + noun phrase
scan + noun phrase + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Common in academic and professional contexts where readers need to locate specific information quickly. Distinguish from sense 1: in sense 1 the person looks at every part of a physical space, whereas in sense 2 the person moves rapidly through text.
常見錯誤
3. to operate a device that passes light across a picture, page, or item, producing
to operate a device that passes light across a picture, page, or item, producing a digital copy that can be saved on a PC; a second meaning describes medical equipment that beams energy through a person's body to create internal images for diagnosis.
Jin scanned the signed contract and emailed the PDF to the lawyer.
scan + noun phrase + and + action with result
The hospital will scan his injured knee to check for ligament damage.
Nellie scanned an old family photograph and shared it with her cousins online.
After the car accident, the doctors decided to scan Olivia's chest for internal injuries.
The technician scanned each page of the report into the company database.
文法句型
scan + noun phrase
scan + noun phrase + into + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'into' (scan something into a computer) for document copying, and with 'for' (scan a knee for injuries) in medical contexts. The passive construction 'be scanned' is very common: 'All luggage is scanned at the airport.'
常見錯誤
4. when a line of poetry follows a regular and correct pattern of stressed and unst
when a line of poetry follows a regular and correct pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables according to the rules of metrical analysis.
Kofi read his poem aloud in class, then frowned and said the third line did not scan.
did not scan — negative construction for flawed meter
Before judging the poem, the professor asked whether every line scanned according to iambic pentameter.
line + scans + according to + [metrical rule]
The poet read the verse aloud, listening carefully to confirm that it scanned evenly throughout.
The group discussed why the third stanza fails to scan while the rest works fine.
文法句型
noun phrase (poem, line, verse) + scans
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in literary discussion of verse. The subject is always a poem or a line of poetry. Common negative construction: 'does not scan' means the meter is flawed.
scan — noun
- scansingular
- scansplural
1. an act of looking quickly through a document, list, or area, usually in order to
an act of looking quickly through a document, list, or area, usually in order to find a specific piece of information or to get a general sense of what is there.
Defne gave the guest list a quick scan and noticed that two names were missing.
give + noun phrase + a quick scan
A quick scan of the map showed the nearest hospital across the river.
Yasmin did a careful scan of the room but saw no sign of her phone.
One scan of the report told him that the budget figures did not add up.
After a brief scan of the headlines, Sayaka put the paper aside.
文法句型
a/one scan of + noun phrase
give something a scan
用法筆記
Commonly appears in fixed phrases like 'a quick scan' or 'a brief scan'. The object of the scan is typically a text (document, list, map) or a physical space (room, area).
2. a medical procedure that uses a special device to capture internal body images,
a medical procedure that uses a special device to capture internal body images, allowing doctors to detect injuries, illnesses, or other health issues.
The doctor ordered a scan of Beatriz's lower back after she complained of constant pain.
a scan of + [body part]
Henrik's scan showed no broken bones, which came as a great relief to his family.
Nellie had to wait three hours at the hospital before getting her scan results.
The radiologist examined the scan carefully and then called the surgeon.
A CT scan of his chest revealed a small infection that needed treatment immediately.
- X-ray
a specific type of scan using radiation, typically for bones
- MRI
a scan using magnetic fields, especially for soft tissues
- ultrasound
a scan using sound waves, commonly used during pregnancy
文法句型
have/get a scan
a scan of + body part
用法筆記
Often combined with technology names: CT scan, MRI scan, PET scan, ultrasound scan. The verb 'have' or 'get' is commonly used: 'have a scan', 'get a scan'. Do not confuse with 'X-ray', which is a different imaging technique.