blood test: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal. Common in medical, healthcare, and general conversation.
Quick answer
What does “blood test” mean?
A medical procedure where a sample of blood is taken from a person and analysed in a laboratory to assess health, detect disease, or measure levels of substances.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical procedure where a sample of blood is taken from a person and analysed in a laboratory to assess health, detect disease, or measure levels of substances.
Any procedure or challenge that reveals the fundamental nature, quality, or composition of something, often used metaphorically (e.g., 'a blood test for the company's finances').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in the term itself. However, related vocabulary may differ: 'surgery' (UK) vs. 'doctor's office' (US) as the location; 'to have a blood test' (more common in UK) vs. 'to get a blood test' (more common in US).
Connotations
Identical. Associated with routine check-ups, diagnosis, and sometimes anxiety.
Frequency
Equally common and standard in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “blood test” in a Sentence
to have/get/undergo/take a blood test (for something)to do/run/perform/order a blood test (on someone)a blood test for (a condition, e.g., diabetes)a blood test shows/reveals/indicates (a result)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blood test” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The GP will have you blood-tested if symptoms persist. (Less common, but possible as a compound verb)
- I need to get blood-tested.
American English
- The doctor wants to blood-test all new patients. (Rare)
- They blood-tested the entire population for the antibody.
adjective
British English
- She received her blood-test results by post.
- The blood-test procedure was quick.
American English
- He is waiting for his blood test report.
- The blood test kit is available at pharmacies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly metaphorical: 'The quarterly report is a blood test for our new strategy.'
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and public health texts.
Everyday
Very common when discussing health, doctor's visits, or medical procedures.
Technical
Standard term in clinical medicine, nursing, and diagnostics. Specific types include 'CBC', 'lipid panel', 'glucose test'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blood test”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blood test”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blood test”
- Using it as a verb (*'They will blood test me'). Correct: 'They will do a blood test on me.'
- Confusing 'blood test' (procedure/result) with 'blood sample' (the physical vial of blood taken).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, it is a noun. It can be used in a verb form (e.g., 'to blood-test someone'), but this is less common and more technical. In everyday speech, we say 'to have/get/do a blood test'.
They are largely synonymous in everyday use. 'Blood work' is slightly more informal and common in American English, often referring to the set of tests collectively. 'Blood test' can refer to a single test or the general procedure.
You can say: 'Could I have/get a blood test?' or 'I'd like to have some blood work done.' The doctor might say, 'We need to run some blood tests.'
Yes, though it's not extremely common. It can describe a rigorous assessment of something's core health or quality (e.g., 'The election was a blood test for the nation's democracy').
A medical procedure where a sample of blood is taken from a person and analysed in a laboratory to assess health, detect disease, or measure levels of substances.
Blood test is usually neutral to formal. common in medical, healthcare, and general conversation. in register.
Blood test: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblʌd ˌtest/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblʌd ˌtest/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a litmus test (conceptual, not literal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'blood' + 'test' literally: a TEST of your BLOOD to see what's inside.
Conceptual Metaphor
TESTING IS SEEING INSIDE / DIAGNOSIS IS INVESTIGATION. A blood test is a window into the hidden state of the body.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common purpose of a 'blood test'?