scrutiny

/ˈskruː.tɪ.ni/

noun

  1. Careful and detailed examination of something or someone, often to find faults, check that rules are being followed, or make a judgment.

    B2

    uncountable

    • "The plan needs careful scrutiny before we approve it."B1
    • "The company's accounts came under close scrutiny after the scandal."B2

  2. Close attention or observation, often critical and from other people.

    C1

    uncountable

    • "The politician’s every word was subject to public scrutiny."C1
    • "She felt the scrutiny of the whole audience as she walked on stage."C1

Common mistakes

  • under scrutiny of→under the scrutiny of

    Use the definite article before scrutiny in this construction.

  • make scrutiny→conduct scrutiny

    Scrutiny collocates with verbs like conduct, face, or come under, not make.

Collocations

close scrutinyunder scrutinypublic scrutinycome under scrutinysubject to scrutinyintense scrutiny

Word family

scrutinizescrutinizedscrutinizingscrutinizer