Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense samples, present participle sampling, past tense, past participle sampled
1. countable noun
A sample of a substance or product is a small quantity of it that shows you what it is like.
You'll receive samples of paint, curtains and upholstery. [+ of]
We're giving away 2000 free samples.
They asked me to do some sample drawings.
Synonyms: specimen, example, trial, model More Synonyms of sample
2. countable noun
A sample of a substance is a small amount of it that is examined and analysed scientifically.
They took samples of my blood. [+ of]
...urine samples.
3. countable noun
A sample of people or things is a number of them chosen out of a larger group and then used in tests or used to provide information about the whole group.
We based our analysis on a random sample of more than 200 males. [+ of]
Synonyms: cross section, test, sampling More Synonyms of sample
4. verb
If you sample food or drink, you taste a small amount of it in order to find out if you like it.
We sampled a selection of different bottled waters. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: test, try, check out [informal], experience More Synonyms of sample
5. verb
If you sample a place or situation, you experience it for a short time in order to find out about it.
...the chance to sample a different way of life. [VERB noun]
6. verb [usually passive]
When musicians or pieces of their music are sampled, parts of their music are used by other musicians in their own work.
I don't actually mind being sampled as long as people give credit where it's due. [beVERB-ed]
Synonyms: borrow from, rip off More Synonyms of sample
More Synonyms of sample
sample in British English
(ˈsɑːmpəl)
noun
1.
a.
a small part of anything, intended as representative of the whole; specimen
b.
(as modifier)
a sample bottle
2. Also called: sampling statistics
a.
a set of individuals or items selected from a population for analysis to yield estimates of, or to test hypotheses about, parameters of the whole population. A biased sample is one in which the items selected share some property which influences their distribution, while a random sample is devised to avoid any such interference so that its distribution is affected only by, and so can be held to represent, that of the whole population
See also matched sample
b.
(as modifier)
sample distribution
verb
3. (transitive)
to take a sample or samples of
4. music
a.
to take a short extract from (one record) and mix it into a different backing track
b.
to record (a sound) and feed it into a computerized synthesizer so that it can be reproduced at any pitch
Word origin
C13: from Old French essample, from Latin exemplumexample
sample in American English
(ˈsæmpəl; ˈsɑmpəl)
noun
1.
a part, piece, or item taken or shown as representative of a whole thing, group,species, etc.; specimen; pattern
samples of wallpaper
2.
an illustration; example
a sample of his humor
3.
a small amount of sound, music, etc. taken from one context, digitized and recorded, edited, and used again in another context
4. US, Statistics
a selected segment of a population studied to gain knowledge of the whole
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈsampled or ˈsampling
5.
to take a sample or samples of, as for testing quality
6.
to digitize and record (small amounts of sound, music, etc.) for editing and usingagain in another context
Word origin
ME, aphetic for asample < Anglo-Fr, for OFr essample: see example
sample in Retail
(sæmpəl)
Word forms: (regular plural) samples
noun
(Retail: Products)
A sample is a small quantity of a product, given free so that customers can try it or examine it before making the decision to buy.
At the deli, there are always free samples of cured meats and cheeses.
You will often get free samples at the cosmetics counter, and sometimes a free makeover is offered.
A sample is a small quantity of a product, given free so that customers can try it or examineit before making the decision to buy.
Examples of 'sample' in a sentence
sample
You can try new ways of working and sample a very different address with an exotic edge.
The Sun (2010)
This is controversial because the band credit just four samples on the record.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The hotel have provided samples of the food to the police for testing.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Suppliers provide free stock for sampling but we do not charge for such sampling.
Joanna Blythman SHOPPED: The Shocking Power of British Supermarkets (2004)
The maximum found in one of the samples was four.
The Sun (2016)
They gave positive breath tests and are awaiting the results of blood samples.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The usual method is to insert a small sample on the jelly and leave it to grow.
Stewart Lamont WHEN SCOTLAND RULED THE WORLD: The Story of the Golden Age of Genius, Creativityand Exploration (2002)
The margin of error for each religious group is larger than for the sample as a whole.
Christianity Today (2000)
One team takes samples and finds a plume of oil.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They have all sampled different rugby cultures from which they can draw.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Some outstanding school food is also sampled.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
She was like a drug dealer handing out a free sample.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The group receives blood samples from all over the world from people who have been exposed to radiation.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It emerged on the day his trial ended that one of the two samples taken had tested positive for cocaine.
The Sun (2008)
A second study asked a sample group to consider past gifts.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is also a great time to sample one of the resort's many luxury chalets at a discount.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
When trying colours, paint a large sample in different areas of the room so you can see what it looks like in varied light.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You can search by colour, collection, style or product number and request samples.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In 1996, it took years to track down rare records to sample.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In other languages
sample
British English: sample /ˈsɑːmpl/ NOUN
A sample of a substance or product is a small quantity of it, showing you what it is like.
The designer will send you a folder containing samples of fabric, wallpaper and paint.
American English: sample
Arabic: عَيِّنَة
Brazilian Portuguese: amostra
Chinese: 样例
Croatian: uzorak
Czech: vzorek
Danish: prøve vareprøve
Dutch: monster
European Spanish: muestra
Finnish: näyte
French: échantillon
German: Probe Beispiel
Greek: δείγμα
Italian: campione
Japanese: 見本
Korean: 샘플
Norwegian: prøve eksemplar
Polish: próbka
European Portuguese: amostra
Romanian: mostră
Russian: образец
Latin American Spanish: muestra
Swedish: prov
Thai: ตัวอย่าง
Turkish: örnek
Ukrainian: зразок
Vietnamese: mẫu vật
British English: sample VERB
If you sample food or drink, you taste a small amount of it in order to find out if you like it.
We sampled a selection of different bottled waters.
American English: sample
Brazilian Portuguese: provar
Chinese: 品尝
European Spanish: probar
French: goûter
German: probieren
Italian: assaggiare
Japanese: 試食する
Korean: 맛보다
European Portuguese: provar
Latin American Spanish: probar
All related terms of 'sample'
A-sample
the primary urine or blood sample used in doping tests in professional sports; if the A-sample tests positive , the B-sample is tested to confirm or invalidate the results
B-sample
a urine or blood sample used in doping tests in professional sports to confirm or invalidate the presence of banned substances in the first sample, the A-sample
free sample
a specimen or small amount of a product given free of charge to potential buyers
sample book
a number of pieces of fabric, wallpaper , etc fastened together at one edge , for people to examine when trying to choose which example to buy
sample case
a handheld container of samples of products used by a salesperson to show potential customers what is available
sample size
The size of something is how big or small it is. Something's size is determined by comparing it to other things, counting it, or measuring it.
biased sample
a statistical sample in which the items selected share some property which influences their distribution
blood sample
an amount of a person's blood taken from their body for use in medical tests
random sample
a statistical sample that is devised to avoid interference so that its distribution is affected only by, and so can be held to represent, that of the whole population
sample letter
an example of a particular type of letter intended to show people how to construct their own letter
sample point
a single possible observed value of a variable ; a member of the sample space of an experiment
sample space
the set of possible outcomes of an experiment ; the range of values of a random variable
sample survey
a survey of particular examples of something, intended as representative of the whole category
matched sample
a sample in which the individuals selected for analysis share all properties except that under investigation
sample section
a section of something, intended as representative of the whole
stratified sample
a sample that is not drawn at random from the whole population , but separately from a number of disjoint strata of the population in order to ensure a more representative sample
Chinese translation of 'sample'
sample
(ˈsɑːmpl)
n(c)
[of work, merchandise]样(樣)品 (yàngpǐn) (件, jiàn)
(Med)
[of blood, urine]采(採)样(樣) (cǎiyàng) (个(個), gè)
[of people, things]抽样(樣) (chōuyàng)
vt
[food, wine]品尝(嘗) (pǐncháng)
[place, situation, way of life]体(體)验(驗) (tǐyàn)
free sample免费(費)赠(贈)样(樣) (miǎnfèi zèngyàng)
1 (noun)
Definition
a small part of anything, taken as being representative of a whole
We're giving away 2000 free samples.
Synonyms
specimen
a perfect specimen of a dinosaur fossil
example
examples of sexism and racism in society
trial
model
the Chinese model of economic reform
pattern
a textile pattern
instance
a serious instance of corruption
representative
demonstration
indication
illustration
These figures are an illustration of the country's dynamism.
swatch
exemplification
2 (noun)
Definition
a small part of anything, taken as being representative of a whole
We based our analysis on a random sample of more than 200 males.
Synonyms
cross section
test
sampling
1 (verb)
Definition
to take a sample or samples of
We sampled a selection of different bottled waters.
Synonyms
test
Test the temperature of the water with your wrist.
try
It's best not to try a new recipe on such an important occasion.
check out (informal)
experience
couples who have experienced the trauma of divorce
taste
Cut off a small piece of meat and taste it.
examine
He examined her passport and stamped it.
evaluate
inspect
Cut the fruit in half and inspect the pips.
experiment with
appraise
Many companies were prompted to appraise their recruitment policies.
partake of
2 (verb)
Definition
to take a short extract from (one record) and mix it into a different backing track
I don't mind being sampled as long as people give credit.
Synonyms
borrow from
rip off
1 (adjective)
Nearly 65 per cent of the sample population agreed with this statement.
Synonyms
test
trial
specimen
representative
fairly representative groups of adults
pilot
illustrative
The following excerpt is illustrative of her interaction with students.
2 (adjective)
Let's go through one more sample study to make sure you understand.
Synonyms
specimen
test
trial
a trial period
pilot
dummy
Additional synonyms
in the sense of appraise
Definition
to assess the worth, value, or quality of
Many companies were prompted to appraise their recruitment policies.
Synonyms
assess,
judge,
review,
estimate,
survey,
price,
rate,
value,
evaluate,
inspect,
gauge,
size up (informal),
eye up,
assay,
recce (slang)
in the sense of examine
Definition
to inspect carefully or in detail
He examined her passport and stamped it.
Synonyms
inspect,
test,
consider,
study,
check,
research,
review,
survey,
investigate,
explore,
probe,
analyse,
scan,
vet,
check out,
ponder,
look over,
look at,
sift through,
work over,
pore over,
appraise,
scrutinize,
peruse,
take stock of,
assay,
recce (slang),
look at carefully,
go over or through
in the sense of example
Definition
a specimen that is typical of its group
examples of sexism and racism in society
Synonyms
instance,
specimen,
case,
sample,
illustration,
case in point,
particular case,
particular instance,
typical case,
exemplification,
representative case,
xample
Synonyms of 'sample'
sample
Explore 'sample' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of exemplification
Synonyms
example,
illustration,
representation,
prototype,
manifestation,
paradigm,
embodiment,
epitome,
exemplar,
personification
in the sense of experience
Definition
to be moved by
couples who have experienced the trauma of divorce
Synonyms
undergo,
have,
know,
feel,
try,
meet,
face,
suffer,
taste,
go through,
observe,
sample,
encounter,
sustain,
perceive,
endure,
participate in,
run into,
live through,
behold (archaic, literary),
come up against,
apprehend,
become familiar with
in the sense of illustration
Definition
an example
These figures are an illustration of the country's dynamism.
Synonyms
example,
case,
instance,
sample,
explanation,
demonstration,
interpretation,
specimen,
analogy,
clarification,
case in point,
exemplar,
elucidation,
exemplification
in the sense of illustrative
The following excerpt is illustrative of her interaction with students.
Synonyms
representative,
typical,
descriptive,
explanatory,
interpretive,
expository,
explicatory,
illustrational
in the sense of inspect
Definition
to examine closely, esp. for faults or errors
Cut the fruit in half and inspect the pips.
Synonyms
examine,
check,
look at,
view,
eye,
survey,
observe,
scan,
check out (informal),
look over,
eyeball (slang),
scrutinize,
give (something or someone) the once-over (informal),
take a dekko at (British, slang, old-fashioned),
go over or through
in the sense of instance
Definition
a case or particular example
a serious instance of corruption
Synonyms
example,
case,
occurrence,
occasion,
sample,
illustration,
precedent,
case in point,
exemplification
in the sense of model
Definition
an example or pattern that people might want to follow
the Chinese model of economic reform
Synonyms
pattern,
example,
design,
standard,
type,
original,
ideal,
mould,
norm,
gauge,
prototype,
paradigm,
archetype,
exemplar,
lodestar
in the sense of pattern
Definition
a representative sample
a textile pattern
Synonyms
sample,
example,
specimen
in the sense of representative
Definition
including examples of all the interests or types in a group
fairly representative groups of adults
Synonyms
typical,
characteristic,
archetypal,
exemplary,
indicative,
illustrative
in the sense of taste
Definition
to take a small amount of (a food or liquid) into the mouth, esp. in order to test the flavour
Cut off a small piece of meat and taste it.
Synonyms
sample,
try,
test,
relish,
sip,
savour,
nibble
Additional synonyms
in the sense of trial
Definition
on a temporary basis while being tried out or tested
a trial period
Synonyms
experimental,
probationary,
testing,
pilot,
provisional,
exploratory
in the sense of try
Definition
to sample or test (something) to see how enjoyable, good, or useful it is
It's best not to try a new recipe on such an important occasion.