analyse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1formal to neutral; common in academic, scientific, technical, and business contexts
Quick answer
What does “analyse” mean?
to examine something in detail, breaking it into parts to understand its nature, structure, or function.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to examine something in detail, breaking it into parts to understand its nature, structure, or function
To study data or information systematically; to psychoanalyse; to subject to mathematical analysis.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK spelling is 'analyse'; US spelling is 'analyze'. The 'z' spelling is also standard in Canada.
Connotations
Identical in meaning. The 's' spelling is strongly associated with UK/Australian English; the 'z' spelling is standard in American publishing and academia.
Frequency
Both spellings are high-frequency. British media and institutions consistently use 'analyse'.
Grammar
How to Use “analyse” in a Sentence
analyse + noun (direct object)analyse + what/why/how + clauseanalyse + for + purposeanalyse + in order to + verbVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “analyse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team will analyse the soil samples for contaminants.
- We must analyse why the campaign failed.
- She analyses financial markets for a living.
American English
- The team will analyze the soil samples for contaminants.
- We need to analyze how the system broke down.
- He analyzes player statistics to make draft picks.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
We need to analyse the quarterly sales figures before the board meeting.
Academic
The researcher will analyse the correlation between the two variables.
Everyday
Let me analyse the instructions before we start assembling the furniture.
Technical
The software can analyse thousands of data points per second.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “analyse”
Strong
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “analyse”
- Confusing spelling (analyse vs analyze). Using it as a synonym for simple 'look at' or 'read'. Incorrect preposition: 'analyse about' instead of 'analyse + object'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Analyse' is standard in British English, while 'analyze' is standard in American English.
The noun form is 'analysis' (pronounced /əˈnæl.ə.sɪs/).
'Analyse' focuses on breaking something down to understand its components. 'Evaluate' focuses on judging the value, quality, or significance of something, often after analysis.
Yes, though it's slightly more formal. In casual speech, people might say 'look at closely', 'go over', or 'figure out' instead.
to examine something in detail, breaking it into parts to understand its nature, structure, or function.
Analyse is usually formal to neutral; common in academic, scientific, technical, and business contexts in register.
Analyse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæn.ə.laɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæn.ə.laɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to analyse something to death (over-analyse)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ANALYSE: A New Approach Lets You See Everything. Think of breaking something into parts (like an ANALyst does).
Conceptual Metaphor
UNDERSTANDING IS SEEING ("We need to analyse this to see the root cause."); THINKING IS DISSECTING ("She analysed his argument piece by piece.")
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'analyse' correctly?