scan

verb
UK: /skæn/
US: /skæn/

  1. To look at something carefully, often to find someone or something.

    1. I scan the room for my friend. [ ] [ ]
    2. The guard had to scan the crowd to find the suspect quickly. [ ] [ ]

  2. To pass a machine over something to read information, make a copy, or check for something.

    1. Scan your card at the door. [ ] [ ]
    2. You need to scan all the documents into the system before the meeting. [ ] [ ]

  3. To read something quickly to get a general idea about it.

    1. Scan the news for updates. [ ] [ ]
    2. I usually scan the reports to get the overall picture. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

examine skim browse inspect survey scrutinize sweep
scan noun

  1. An act of scanning something.

    1. I gave the room a scan. [ ] [ ]
    2. The airport security performed a full body scan. [ ] [ ]

  2. A medical test that uses special equipment to create pictures of the inside of your body.

    1. I had a brain scan today. [ ] [ ]
    2. The doctor ordered a scan to check for any abnormalities. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "scan" in English means: To look at something carefully, often to find someone or something., To pass a machine over something to read information, make a copy, or check for something., To read something quickly to get a general idea about it..

The phonetic transcription of "scan" is /skæn/ in British English and /skæn/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "scan": examine, skim, browse, inspect, survey, scrutinize, sweep.

Example usage of "scan": "I scan the room for my friend.". More examples on the page.