scan
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for scan, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To look over something quickly, often searching for particular information.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use scan
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Late Latin scandere, "to scan verse" (originally about checking a poem's metre), from Latin scandō, "to climb, rise."
Full origin of scan →Frequently asked questions
What does “scan” mean?
The word “scan” means to look over something quickly, often searching for particular information. In plain terms, to look over something quickly or thoroughly, whether it's a page, a document being digitised, or a medical image.
How do you pronounce “scan”?
“Scan” is pronounced skan (/skæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “scan” in a sentence?
Here is “scan” used in a sentence: “She scanned the headlines before heading to work.”
What part of speech is “scan”?
Depending on how it is used, “scan” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “scan” come from?
The word “scan” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin scandere, "to scan verse" (originally about checking a poem's metre), from Latin scandō, "to climb, rise.".
Is “scan” a common word?
“Scan” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “scan” have?
“Scan” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to look over something quickly, often searching for particular information.
Does scan mean to read something quickly or to examine it closely?
Scan carries both senses, and context shows which is meant. You can scan a page quickly in search of a name or a price, but a machine or doctor scans something by examining it closely and systematically, as in a security scan or a medical scan.
What is the difference between scanning and skimming?
In reading skills, skimming means reading quickly to get the general idea of a text, while scanning means running your eyes over it in search of one particular piece of information. You skim a news article for the gist, but you scan a timetable for a specific train time.
What is the difference between a scan and an X-ray?
In everyday medical language, scan is a general word for an imaging test and for the image it produces, covering procedures such as CT, MRI and ultrasound scans. An X-ray is one specific technique, and a CT scan actually uses X-rays taken from many angles to build a more detailed picture.
Is it correct to say you "scan" a document with a phone?
Yes. Scanning a document means converting it into digital form, and phone apps that photograph and process a page are doing exactly that. The verb applies to dedicated desktop scanners and, by extension, to any device that captures a document digitally.