Meaning
Probe can be used as both a verb and a noun.
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As a verb: to examine, investigate, or explore something closely, often to discover hidden information.
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As a noun:
- A device or instrument used to explore or test (e.g., medical or scientific equipment).
- An investigation or inquiry into something.
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech: verb (transitive/intransitive), noun
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Verb usage:
- "probe into" → The journalist probed into the scandal.
- "probe for" → The doctor probed for the source of the pain.
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Noun usage:
- "a government probe" → meaning an official investigation.
- "a space probe" → a spacecraft sent to explore space.
Common Phrases
- probe into a matter – to investigate deeply
- launch a probe – to begin an inquiry or send a spacecraft
- space probe – a device exploring outer space
- medical probe – an instrument used by doctors for examination
- probe for answers – to try to discover hidden information
Collocations
- verb + probe: carefully probe, thoroughly probe, continue to probe
- probe + noun: probe question, probe mission, probe investigation
- noun + probe: police probe, official probe, scientific probe, space probe
Examples
- Detectives were sent to probe into the mysterious case.
- The scientist used a microscope to probe the structure of the cells.
- The government launched an official probe into corruption allegations.
- NASA sent a space probe to study the outer planets.
- The doctor carefully probed for signs of infection.
- Journalists continued to probe the company’s financial activities.
- A probe revealed serious safety violations in the factory.
- The lawyer began to probe into the witness’s testimony.
- The probe sent back data from millions of miles away.
- He tried to probe her thoughts with difficult questions.
Synonyms or Related
- Verb: investigate, examine, explore, inspect, scrutinize
- Noun: inquiry, investigation, examination, spacecraft, instrument