scanner
B1Neutral, slightly more common in technical and everyday contexts than formal ones.
Definition
Meaning
A device or program that captures or reads information from a physical source, converting it into a digital format or image.
Also refers to a person who scans or examines something carefully, or in medicine, a machine that produces detailed images of the body's interior. In computing, it can refer to software that analyzes code or a network for vulnerabilities.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The meaning is heavily dependent on context: 'document scanner', 'body scanner', 'virus scanner', 'radio scanner'. The agent noun form ('a person who scans') is rare and archaic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and some vocabulary in collocations. The word itself is identical in usage frequency and meaning.
Connotations
Neutral in both. In security contexts (e.g., airport body scanner), it can carry a slight negative connotation of intrusion.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties due to universal technology.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
connect/plug in/use a scannerscanner scans (something)scanner is connected toscan something with a scannerVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “run it through the scanner (check thoroughly)”
- “on everyone's scanner (being monitored or noticed)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to devices for digitising documents, invoices, or business cards. 'Please put the contract through the scanner and email it.'
Academic
Used for research equipment like document scanners for archives or specialized scanners in laboratories.
Everyday
Common for home/office document scanning, airport security, or supermarket barcode readers.
Technical
Precise term for hardware (3D scanner, PET scanner) or software (vulnerability scanner, malware scanner).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The software will scanner the network for open ports. (INCORRECT - use 'scan')
American English
- I need to scanner this document. (INCORRECT - use 'scan')
adjective
British English
- The scanner technology has improved.
- We reviewed the scanner results.
American English
- The scanner bed is glass.
- She works in scanner maintenance.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I use a scanner to put photos on my computer.
- The scanner at the shop reads the barcode.
- The airport security asked me to put my bag through the scanner.
- Our office scanner is broken, so we can't digitise these forms.
- Archaeologists used a high-resolution 3D scanner to map the ancient artefact.
- The new malware scanner detected a previously unknown threat.
- Advancements in MRI scanner technology have significantly improved diagnostic accuracy for soft tissue injuries.
- The port scanner revealed several unsecured endpoints on the corporate network, posing a serious vulnerability.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A SCANNER SCANS-NER a page or a brain.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/INFORMATION IS LIGHT (a scanner 'illuminates' or reveals data). A SCANNER IS AN EYE (it 'sees' and captures images).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'сканер' for a person who scans; it's only a machine. Don't confuse with 'skinner' (живодёр). The Russian borrowing is accurate for the device.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'scanner' as a verb (the verb is 'to scan'). Confusing 'scanner' with 'printer'. Mispronouncing as /ˈskeɪ.nər/.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'scanner' most likely refer to a person?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Primarily for hardware (document scanner, body scanner), but also for software that performs a similar 'scanning' function (virus scanner, network scanner).
A scanner creates a digital file from a physical document. A copier (photocopier) creates another physical paper copy. Many modern devices are 'multifunction printers' that combine both.
No. The device is a noun. The related verb is 'to scan'. Using 'scanner' as a verb is a common error (e.g., 'I will scanner it' is wrong; 'I will scan it' is correct).
Slightly. The main difference is in the final vowel sound (schwa /ə/ in BrE vs 'r-colored' schwa /ɚ/ in AmE), following the general rhotic/non-rhotic pattern of the two accents.