survey
15 synonyms and 0 antonyms for survey, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A set of questions used to gather information or opinions from a group of people.
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 survey
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French surveoir ("to oversee"), from sur- ("over") + veoir ("to see"), from Latin videre — related to "vision" and "supervise".
Full origin of survey →Frequently asked questions
What does “survey” mean?
The word “survey” means a set of questions used to gather information or opinions from a group of people. In plain terms, a questionnaire to gather opinions, a general overview, or the act of examining/measuring something carefully.
How do you pronounce “survey”?
“Survey” is pronounced SUR-vay (/ˈsɝˌveɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “survey” in a sentence?
Here is “survey” used in a sentence: “The company sent out a customer satisfaction survey.”
What part of speech is “survey”?
Depending on how it is used, “survey” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “survey” come from?
The word “survey” comes from Latin. From Old French surveoir ("to oversee"), from sur- ("over") + veoir ("to see"), from Latin videre — related to "vision" and "supervise".
Is “survey” a common word?
“Survey” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “survey” have?
“Survey” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a set of questions used to gather information or opinions from a group of people.
What is the difference between a survey and a questionnaire?
A questionnaire is the actual set of written questions. A survey is the whole process, designing those questions, distributing them, collecting responses, and analyzing the results. So the questionnaire is a tool used within a survey. Every survey usually contains a questionnaire, but a survey is the broader research activity.
What is the difference between a survey and a poll?
A poll is short and narrow, usually asking a single question to capture a quick snapshot of opinion, such as who someone will vote for. A survey is longer and more detailed, using many questions to explore attitudes, behavior, or experience in depth. Polls measure one thing fast; surveys gather richer, broader data.
What are the main types of surveys?
Surveys are often grouped by method: online, telephone, mail, and in-person. By purpose, common types include customer satisfaction, market research, employee feedback, opinion or political polls, and academic research surveys. They can also be cross-sectional, capturing one moment, or longitudinal, tracking the same group over time.
Why are surveys important?
Surveys turn scattered opinions into measurable data, letting organizations understand what people think, want, or experience. Businesses use them to improve products, governments to guide policy, and researchers to test ideas. Because they gather input directly from a group, surveys reduce guesswork and support decisions based on real evidence rather than assumptions.