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Meaning & use

tested

verb, adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈtest.ɪd/
US/ˈtest.ɪd/

“tested” is a form of “test”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive or intransitive

    Examined someone or something to check quality, ability, knowledge, or performance.

    Grammar: Often takes an object: tested the water. It can be intransitive in technical contexts: the alloy tested well.

    Patterns

    • test something for something
    • test someone on something
    • test well/badly

    The lab tested the water for lead.

    Students were tested on vocabulary they had studied for a month.

  2. adjectivebefore a noun

    Proven reliable or effective through use, experience, or previous trials.

    Grammar: Comes before the noun it describes: a tested method.

    Patterns

    • a tested method
    • tested advice
    • a tested product

    The recipe is a tested favorite at school bake sales.

    Investors prefer tested strategies during uncertain markets.

  3. adjectiveafter a verbfigurative

    Put under strain or exposed to difficulty, so patience, trust, or strength is challenged.

    Grammar: Follows be, seem, become, or remain: patience was tested.

    Patterns

    • patience is tested
    • a tested relationship
    • trust remains tested

    The delay tested everyone's patience.

    Their friendship remained strong though it was severely tested.

Word forms

third person singulartests
past tensetested
past participletested
-ing formtesting

Common combinations

rigorously tested
The vaccine was rigorously tested before approval.
tested positive/negative
She tested negative and returned to work the next day.
tested on animals
The company says its products are not tested on animals.
a tested recipe
I use a tested recipe when baking bread for guests.

Synonyms and how they differ

tried
Tried appears in tried and tested and stresses proof through experience.
examined
Examined focuses on close inspection; tested often implies a trial, question, or measurement.
assessed
Assessed judges value, level, or risk and may be less hands-on than tested.
screened
Screened checks for a disease, risk, or suitability, especially before a problem appears.

Opposites

untestedunproven

Word family

test verb
To examine or try something to learn about it.
test noun
A procedure or set of questions used for examination.
testing adjective
Difficult in a way that reveals ability or character.
testable adjective
Possible to examine by experiment or evidence.

Commonly confused: tested or testes? tested or tempted?

tested vs testes

Testes are male reproductive organs; tested is the past form of test or an adjective meaning proven or strained.

tested vs tempted

Tempted means attracted to do something; tested means examined or strained.

Practice

Which option correctly uses "tested" as an adjective before a noun?

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