test
tehst
Test (noun) means a set of questions or tasks used to check someone's knowledge or ability. Example: “She stayed up late revising for her chemistry test.”
noun
1
A set of questions or tasks used to check someone's knowledge or ability.
"She stayed up late revising for her chemistry test."
"He passed his driving test on the first attempt."
"The teacher gave us a short spelling test every Friday afternoon."
2
A procedure used to check how well something works or holds up under certain conditions.
"The new brakes went through months of safety tests before release."
"The engineers ran a test on the bridge to see how much weight it could carry."
"A quick test showed that the new battery lasted all day."
3
A difficult situation or event that reveals someone's true character or ability.
"The long delay was a real test of the team's patience."
"Moving to a new country alone was the biggest test of her courage."
"Looking after three toddlers for a day is quite a test of patience."
verb
1
To check the quality, performance, or truth of something by trying it out.
"Scientists tested the vaccine on thousands of volunteers."
"Always test a recipe before serving it to guests."
"Before the trip, he tested the tent in the back garden."
2
To give someone an examination to measure their knowledge or skill.
"The teacher tested the class on last week's vocabulary."
"The examiner will test you on road signs and basic car maintenance."
"Our tutor tests us on new vocabulary at the start of each lesson."
3
To put a strain on something, or push it to its limits.
"The heatwave really tested the city's power grid."
"The steep hill tested the cyclists' legs long before they reached the top."
"Constant noise from the building site tested my patience all week."
How to use test
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo try something out, or an exercise/exam that checks how good, strong, or true something is.
Common pairings
pass a test
run a test
test the limits
put to the test
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Word forms
- Plural
- tests
- Third person singular
- tests
- Past tense
- tested
- Archaic forms
- testest, testedst, testeth
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She stayed up late revising for her chemistry _____.
Etymology
From Old French test, "an earthen pot used for assaying metals", ultimately from Latin testum. Chemists once judged the purity of gold or silver by heating it in one of these small pots — "putting it to the test" — and the word later spread to mean checking anything for quality.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for test
See all rhymes for test →Frequently asked questions
What does “test” mean?
The word “test” means a set of questions or tasks used to check someone's knowledge or ability. In plain terms, to try something out, or an exercise/exam that checks how good, strong, or true something is.
How do you pronounce “test”?
“Test” is pronounced tehst (/tɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “test” in a sentence?
Here is “test” used in a sentence: “She stayed up late revising for her chemistry test.”
What is another word for “test”?
Words with a similar meaning to “test” include quiz, all one's life's worth, challenge, mountain and trial.
What is the opposite of “test”?
The opposite of “test” — its antonyms — are recess, breeze and cakewalk.
What part of speech is “test”?
Depending on how it is used, “test” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “test” come from?
The word “test” comes from Latin.
Is “test” a common word?
“Test” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between a test and an exam?
A test and an exam both check knowledge or ability, but an exam is usually more formal, longer, and higher-stakes — often held at the end of a course under strict conditions. A test tends to be shorter and less formal, such as a weekly spelling test. Every exam is a test, but not every test is an exam.
What is the difference between a test and a quiz?
A quiz is a short, informal, low-stakes check, often just a few questions to review recent material. A test is longer and carries more weight, covering a wider topic and counting more towards a grade. Both assess knowledge, but a quiz is quick and light while a test is more substantial and formal.
What are the different types of test?
Tests come in many forms: written or oral, multiple-choice or essay-based, practical or theoretical. Common examples include aptitude tests, which measure potential, and achievement tests, which measure what has been learned. Outside education, 'test' also covers medical tests, driving tests, and product tests — any structured check of quality or ability.
What is the difference between a test and an assessment?
A test is one specific tool — a set of questions or tasks given at a single point in time. Assessment is the broader process of judging someone's ability, which may include tests, coursework, observation, and projects. A test can form part of an assessment, but assessment gathers evidence in many other ways too.
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