scanner
To look through a text or an area quickly in order to find a specific piece of information or a particular person. It also refers to the process of using an electronic device to convert physical documents or images into digital data.
Examples
3 of 5I need to scan these old family photos to save them on my hard drive.
I have to convert these old family pictures into digital files on my computer.
The software will scan the entire system for any potential security threats.
The program will examine the whole system to look for security risks.
Just scan the QR code on the table to see our full digital menu.
Quickly read the square code on the table to open the menu on your phone.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a supermarket scanner: it moves quickly over a barcode just to find one thing—the price—not to read the whole cereal box.
Quick Quiz
If you want to find the price quickly, just ________ the list for the dollar sign.
Correct!
The correct answer is: scan
Examples
I need to scan these old family photos to save them on my hard drive.
everydayI have to convert these old family pictures into digital files on my computer.
The software will scan the entire system for any potential security threats.
formalThe program will examine the whole system to look for security risks.
Just scan the QR code on the table to see our full digital menu.
informalQuickly read the square code on the table to open the menu on your phone.
Students are taught to scan the passage for specific keywords before reading in detail.
academicLearners learn how to search the writing for certain words before they read closely.
Our HR department will scan your resume to check for relevant work experience.
businessThe human resources team will look through your CV to find your job history.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
scan the headlines
to read only the titles of news stories to get the main points
scan the room
to look around a space to find a specific person or object
scan through
to read or look through something very quickly
Often Confused With
Scanning is looking for specific info (like a date), while skimming is reading for the general gist or main idea.
Browsing is a casual, leisurely look, while scanning is a more targeted or technical search.
Usage Notes
Use 'scan' when you are looking for a specific detail or using a machine to digitize paper. It implies a fast, focused eye movement or a technical process.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'scan' when they mean 'read thoroughly'. In an exam context, scanning is a specific speed-reading technique for finding facts, not for deep understanding.
Memory Tip
Think of a supermarket scanner: it moves quickly over a barcode just to find one thing—the price—not to read the whole cereal box.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin word 'scandere', which means to climb or to measure the rhythm of a line of verse.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In modern digital offices, 'scanning' has become a standard cultural practice for transitioning to paperless workflows.
Quick Quiz
If you want to find the price quickly, just ________ the list for the dollar sign.
Correct!
The correct answer is: scan
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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