sample
B1Neutral to formal. Common in scientific, business, statistical, and general contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A small part or portion intended to show the quality, nature, or style of the whole.
A specimen, example, or model; something taken or shown as representative of a larger group or category; in statistics, a subset of a population chosen for analysis; in digital audio, a short piece of recorded sound.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, it implies representativeness. As a verb, it implies the act of trying or testing something by experiencing a small part of it. Can function as both a count and non-count noun depending on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. Minor spelling preferences follow general patterns (e.g., 'sample centre' vs. 'sample center'). Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical in core connotations across varieties.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties, with comparable use across business, scientific, and consumer contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
sample + NOUN (sample the wine)sample + from + NOUN (sample from the batch)be + sampled + for + PURPOSE (was sampled for analysis)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A sample of things to come”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A small free amount of a product given to potential customers for promotional purposes.
Academic
A subset of a statistical population selected for study, often analysed to infer conclusions about the whole.
Everyday
A small taste or trial of food, drink, or an experience.
Technical
In music/DJing: a digitally extracted snippet of sound reused in a new composition.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Visitors were invited to sample local cheeses at the market.
- The audit will sample transactions from each quarter.
American English
- You can sample several flavors before deciding.
- Researchers sampled water from 50 different lakes.
adjective
British English
- We received a sample copy of the textbook for review.
- The sample data set is available for download.
American English
- Check out the sample chapter on the publisher's website.
- They offer sample lessons for free.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Here is a free sample of the new shampoo.
- Can I try a sample of that cake?
- The doctor took a blood sample for testing.
- We received a sample of the material before ordering.
- The survey was based on a random sample of 1000 adults.
- Critics were given an early sample of the artist's new work.
- The study's findings are limited by the small and unrepresentative sample.
- He skilfully sampled a classic soul riff in his new track.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'simple' representation: a SAMPLe is a SIMPLE (sounds similar) way to represent something complex by showing just a part.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PART FOR THE WHOLE (The sample stands for the entire batch/population/experience).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'проба' when referring to a statistical subset; use 'выборка'.
- Do not confuse with 'образец', which can mean 'pattern' or 'template' more than a test piece.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sample' as a verb for simply 'trying' something non-representative (e.g., 'I sampled to open the door').
- Confusing 'sample' (representative part) with 'example' (typical case).
Practice
Quiz
In statistical research, what is the primary purpose of a 'sample'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'sample' is a physical part taken from a whole to show its nature. An 'example' is a typical instance used to illustrate a rule or concept. You eat a sample of cheese; you give an example of good behaviour.
Yes. As a verb, it means to try a small amount of something (e.g., sample the wine) or to take a sample from something for testing (e.g., sample the soil).
It is neutral. It is appropriate in both casual contexts ('sample the food') and highly formal scientific or business contexts ('a stratified random sample').
The 'sample size' is the number of observations or individuals included in a statistical sample. It is crucial for determining the reliability and precision of the study's results.