vet
B2Neutral to formal (as verb), Informal (as noun for veterinarian)
Definition
Meaning
To examine something or someone carefully and critically to ensure they are suitable, safe, or acceptable.
1. To provide medical care for animals (as a shortened form of 'veterinarian'). 2. To examine the background and suitability of a person, especially for a job involving security or trust. 3. To examine a document, proposal, or piece of information thoroughly for accuracy and suitability.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun 'vet' (veterinarian) is informal but universally understood. The verb 'vet' is common in professional contexts (HR, security, publishing). The verb's meaning relates to rigorous checking and approval, not casual review.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'vet' as a verb is slightly more established and widely used in contexts like vetting political candidates. In the US, the verb is common, but 'vet' as a noun for a military veteran is also prominent, which is less common in the UK.
Connotations
In both, the verb implies official scrutiny. In the US, the noun can be ambiguous between 'veterinarian' and 'veteran' without context.
Frequency
The verb is high-frequency in professional/administrative contexts in both regions. The noun (animal doctor) is very high-frequency in everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SVO: The committee will vet all applicants.SVO-passive: All data must be vetted by security.SVOA: They vetted him for the sensitive role.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “vet someone/something out (US, informal)”
- “pass the vetting process”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
All new suppliers must be vetted for financial stability.
Academic
The journal vets all submissions through a peer-review process.
Everyday
I need to take my dog to the vet for his shots.
Technical
The software code is vetted for vulnerabilities before release.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The BBC vets all contributors for impartiality.
- Have you had that builder properly vetted?
- The council vetted the planning application.
American English
- The FBI vets all presidential appointees.
- We need to vet this source before publishing.
- She was vetted for the top-secret clearance.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form.
American English
- No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adjective. 'Vetted' is the participle adjective: 'a vetted list'.
American English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adjective. 'Vetted' is the participle adjective: 'a vetted contractor'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My cat is sick, so we will go to the vet.
- He is a vet for farm animals.
- You should vet any company before you buy from them online.
- The new teacher was carefully vetted by the school.
- All potential employees are thoroughly vetted for security reasons.
- The committee spent hours vetting the final proposals.
- The intelligence agency vetted his background for any compromising links.
- The manuscript was rigorously vetted by three anonymous reviewers before acceptance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A VET checks animals (Veterinarian) and a committee VETS candidates – both involve careful inspection.
Conceptual Metaphor
SCRUTINY IS MEDICAL EXAMINATION (to vet someone = to give them a 'check-up' for suitability).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить глагол 'vet' как 'вести' или 'ставить вето'. Правильно: 'проверять', 'отбирать'.
- Существительное 'vet' (veterinarian) — это 'ветеринар', а не 'ветеран' (для 'veteran' чаще используется полное слово).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'vet' as a noun for a person being checked (incorrect: *'He is a vet for the job.' Correct: 'He is being vetted for the job.').
- Confusing 'vet' (check) with 'veto' (to reject).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'vet' used correctly as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a verb meaning 'to examine carefully', it is neutral to formal and common in professional contexts. As a noun for 'veterinarian', it is informal but standard.
'Vet' implies a more thorough, official, or critical examination, often for suitability or security. 'Check' is more general and can be casual.
It can be used for all: people (vet a candidate), documents (vet a contract), and ideas (vet a theory).
The past tense and past participle is 'vetted' (e.g., 'They vetted him yesterday', 'He has been vetted').