vetting
C1Formal, Official
Definition
Meaning
The process of carefully checking someone or something, especially for suitability or a particular role.
A thorough investigation into a person's background, qualifications, character, or the quality of information/documents.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a systematic, official check with an element of authority and scrutiny; carries an official or procedural connotation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily semantic; 'vet' as a verb is more common in BrE for medical treatment of animals; 'vetting' is used identically in both varieties for checks.
Connotations
Associated with official, security-related, or professional screening processes in both.
Frequency
Broadly similar frequency in both varieties for the 'scrutiny' sense.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
subject + vet + objectsubject + be + vetted + for + nounVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pass the vetting process”
- “get vetted”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The due diligence process involves financial vetting of potential partners.
Academic
All research proposals undergo rigorous ethical vetting by the committee.
Everyday
They're vetting all the babysitters for our new childcare service.
Technical
Intelligence agencies conduct multi-layered vetting of personnel with security clearances.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The committee will vet all parliamentary candidates thoroughly.
- Have these contracts been properly vetted by our legal team?
American English
- The FBI vetted all potential White House staffers.
- Our hiring policy requires vetting every applicant's references.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used.
American English
- Not commonly used.
adjective
British English
- The vetting process can take several weeks.
- She holds a vetting officer position.
American English
- He passed the vetting requirements for the security clearance.
- A vetting committee was established.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The company does vetting for all new employees.
- My friend is vetting schools for her children.
- The journalist faced rigorous vetting before being granted access to the classified documents.
- Candidates undergo a two-stage vetting process involving interviews and background checks.
- The nominee's past publications and affiliations were subjected to intense media vetting, revealing several controversial statements.
- Despite stringent financial vetting, the investment turned out to be fraudulent.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a VET checking an animal thoroughly; 'vetting' is checking a person or thing thoroughly.
Conceptual Metaphor
SCRUTINY IS A FILTER / PURIFICATION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'veterinarian' (ветеринар). The connection is historical. In Russian, 'проверка' is a suitable general translation, but 'vetting' implies a more formal, security-conscious process than just 'проверка'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'vetting' for casual, informal checks (e.g., 'I'm vetting the menu' is odd).
- Confusing 'vetting' (process) with 'vet' (person or action).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'vetting' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While most common for people (e.g., job candidates), it is also standard for documents, information, contracts, and proposals.
'Vetting' implies a deeper, more thorough, and often more official investigation. 'Screening' can be a quicker, initial filter. Vetting is a type of intensive screening.
Not inherently, but it can be used in contexts implying excessive or intrusive scrutiny (e.g., 'constant vetting of one's private life').
It derives from the verb 'to vet', which is a shortening of 'veterinarian' (an animal doctor who examines animals). The sense transferred to the careful examination of people and things in the early 20th century.