Survey — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /sər-ˈvā/ (verb) /ˈsər-ˌvā/ (noun) sur·vey

Meaning & Definition of Survey

Survey (verb)

  1. to examine as to condition, situation, or value, appraise
  2. to query (someone) in order to collect data for the analysis of some aspect of a group or area
  3. to determine and delineate the form, extent, and position of (such as a tract of land) by taking linear and angular measurements and by applying the principles of geometry and trigonometry

Survey (noun)

  1. the act or an instance of surveying
  2. a broad treatment of a subject
  3. poll

Survey (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a close look at or over someone or something in order to judge condition

    "a survey of the premises revealed that four of the exit doors were locked"

    similar: audit, check, checkup, examination, going-over, inspection, look-see, review, scan, scrutiny, view
    related: analysis, assay, close-up, deconstruction, dissection, exploration, investigation, probe, research, study, inquisition, interrogation, once-over, perusal, recheck, reinspection, resurvey, observation, surveillance, watch, checkout, test-drive, trial run

Survey (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to go around and approach (people) with a request for opinions or information

    "surveyed the medical residents and found out that 60% of them don't think they get enough sleep"

    similar: canvass, interview, poll, solicit
    related: circularize, interrogate, question, feel (out), sound (out)
    near: report

  2. to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition)

    "surveyed the books at the estate sale, fondly hoping to find a rare first edition"

    similar: audit, check (out), con, examine, inspect, overlook, oversee, review, scan, scrutinize, view, go over
    related: notice, observe, watch, comb, peruse, pore (over), analyze, dissect, parse, delve (into), explore, investigate, plumb, probe, research, study, categorize, classify, pick over, reinspect, rereview, resurvey
    near: skim, glance (at or over), miss

Related Entry: Survey course (noun)

Survey course is a different word from Survey. The synonyms below are for survey course, not for survey.

  1. as in clinic, institute

    similar: clinic, institute, seminar, elective, refresher, minicourse, class, course, core, curriculum

Related Entry: Survey courses (noun)

Survey courses is a different word from Survey. The synonyms below are for survey courses, not for survey.

  1. as in clinics, institutes

    similar: clinics, institutes, seminars, electives, refreshers, minicourses, classes, courses, cores, curricula

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Survey

The most common words with a similar meaning to Survey:

audit, check, checkup, examination, going-over, inspection, look-see, review, scan, scrutiny, view, canvass, interview, poll, solicit, check (out), con, examine, inspect, overlook, oversee, scrutinize, go over

Related Words for Survey

analysis, assay, close-up, deconstruction, dissection, exploration, investigation, probe, research, study, inquisition, interrogation, once-over, perusal, recheck, reinspection, resurvey, observation, surveillance, watch, checkout, test-drive, trial run, circularize, interrogate, question, feel (out), sound (out), notice, observe

Near Antonyms of Survey

report, skim, glance (at or over), miss

Word Forms of Survey

Inflections: surveyed, surveying, surveys

Origin & Etymology of Survey

Middle English, from Anglo-French surveer, to look over, from sur- + veer to see view

First known use: 15th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Survey

Words & Phrases Containing Survey

survey course, geodetic survey

Frequently Asked Questions about Survey

What does "Survey" mean?

"Survey" means to examine as to condition, situation, or value, appraise. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to examine as to condition, situation, or value, appraise. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Survey"?

Other words for "Survey" include audit, check, checkup, examination, going-over, inspection, look-see and review. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Survey" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Survey"?

There are 68 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Survey". Common alternatives include audit, check, checkup, examination, going-over, inspection, look-see, review, scan and scrutiny.

How do you use "Survey" in a sentence?

Examples of "Survey" in a sentence: "a survey of the premises revealed that four of the exit doors were locked"; "surveyed the medical residents and found out that 60% of them don't think they get enough sleep"; "surveyed the books at the estate sale, fondly hoping to find a rare first edition".

Is "Survey" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Survey" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Survey" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Survey" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Survey"?

"Survey" is pronounced /sər-ˈvā/ as a verb and /ˈsər-ˌvā/ as a noun and divided into syllables as sur·vey.

What is the origin of the word "Survey"?

"Survey" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French surveer, to look over, from sur- + veer to see view. First known use: 15th centuryt.