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A sample is a small part of something that helps you see what the whole thing is like.
Explanation at your level:
A sample is a small bit of something. If you go to a store, they might give you a sample of food. You eat it to see if you like it. It is a small part of a big thing.
You use the word sample when you want to show someone what a product looks like. For example, 'Can I have a sample of this fabric?' It helps you choose the right thing to buy. Scientists also use samples to study things like water or soil.
In business, a sample is often used to check quality before ordering a large amount. If you are a student, you might use a sample of data to write your essay. It is a very useful word because it saves time; you don't need to look at everything to understand the quality.
Beyond physical objects, we talk about sampling in music and statistics. A music producer might take a sample from an old song to create a new beat. In research, having a large enough sample size is crucial for accurate results. It is a versatile term that bridges the gap between everyday shopping and complex academic research.
The term sample is deeply embedded in methodology. Whether you are discussing 'stratified random sampling' in sociology or 'sampling rates' in digital audio engineering, the word implies a rigorous selection process. It denotes a subset that is intended to mirror the characteristics of the parent population. Understanding this nuance is essential for interpreting data-driven reports or technical manuals.
Historically and linguistically, sample serves as a bridge between the concrete and the abstract. While we often use it to refer to physical specimens, it also functions as a synecdoche—the part representing the whole. In literary analysis, one might discuss a 'sample' of an author's work to characterize their entire oeuvre. Its etymological link to exemplum reminds us that a sample is not just a piece; it is a standard, a model, or a proof of concept that validates the integrity of the larger entity.
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- A sample is a small part of a whole.
- It is used for testing and checking quality.
- Commonly used in science, retail, and business.
- It is a countable noun.
When we talk about a sample, we are talking about a small piece of a much larger puzzle. Imagine you are buying a giant rug; you probably want to see a sample of the fabric first to make sure the color and texture match your room. By looking at that small square, you can make an informed decision about the whole product.
In the world of science and data, a sample is even more important. Scientists often cannot test every single person or every single atom in the world, so they take a representative sample. This helps them draw conclusions about a larger group. Whether it is a free perfume sample at a mall or a blood sample at a clinic, the core idea remains the same: it is a snapshot of the whole.
The word sample has a fascinating journey through history. It comes from the Old French word essample, which actually shares its roots with the word example. Both words trace back to the Latin exemplum, meaning 'something taken out' or 'a pattern to follow.'
During the Middle Ages, merchants used the term to describe a 'pattern' of cloth they would show to buyers. Over time, the spelling shifted in English to drop the 'e' at the start, becoming the word we use today. It is a great example of how language evolves to be more efficient. The connection to example is still visible if you look closely—both words are essentially about showing, demonstrating, or representing something else.
Using the word sample is very common in both business and casual settings. You will often hear people talk about 'collecting a sample' or 'requesting a sample.' In a professional context, it is common to say, 'We sent a sample to the client for approval.'
In casual conversation, you might hear someone say, 'I tried a sample of the new ice cream.' It is a very neutral term, meaning you can use it in a formal lab report or while chatting with a friend at the grocery store. Just remember that it is a countable noun, so you can have one sample or many samples.
While 'sample' itself is a direct noun, it appears in several idiomatic phrases. 1. Free sample: A product given away for nothing to encourage a purchase. 2. Sample size: A technical term used in statistics to describe how many items are in a study. 3. Take a sample: The act of gathering a piece for testing. 4. Representative sample: A group that accurately reflects a larger population. 5. Sample sale: A retail event where designers sell their original prototypes at a discount.
The word sample is a regular noun. Its plural form is simply samples. You can use it with articles like 'a sample' or 'the sample.' When used as a verb, it means to take a small part of something (e.g., 'I want to sample the wine').
Pronunciation-wise, in both British and American English, it is /ˈsæmpəl/. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like ample, trample, and example. Focus on the 'a' sound, which is a short 'a' like in 'cat'.
Fun Fact
It shares an ancestor with the word 'example'!
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'sahm-pul'
Sounds like 'sam-pul'
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'm'
- Dropping the 'l'
- Stressing the second syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
medium
medium
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
a sample, two samples
Articles
a/the
Verb Adjuncts
sample size
Examples by Level
I tried a food sample.
tried = tasted
past tense
This is a sample.
this = the object
simple present
Do you have a sample?
have = possess
question form
I like this sample.
like = enjoy
simple present
Look at the sample.
look = see
imperative
Is this a free sample?
free = no cost
question
He gave me a sample.
gave = handed
past tense
The sample is small.
small = little
adjective
Can you send me a sample of the product?
The scientist took a blood sample.
I saw a sample of the new wallpaper.
These samples are very high quality.
We need more samples for the test.
He kept a sample of the fabric.
The store offers free samples on weekends.
Check the sample before you buy.
The survey used a sample of 500 people.
She requested a sample to check the color.
The DJ used a sample from a 70s track.
We analyzed a sample of the water.
The company sent a sample of their software.
Make sure the sample is representative.
I collected a soil sample from the garden.
The sample size was too small for results.
The study results were based on a random sample.
They are selling designer clothes at a sample sale.
The doctor needs a urine sample for the lab.
This tiny piece is just a sample of his talent.
We should take a sample of the paint before buying.
The quality of the sample was quite disappointing.
Sampling the market is a key step in business.
The product sample arrived in the mail today.
The researchers ensured the sample was diverse.
His work is just a small sample of the depth of his research.
Statistical bias can occur if the sample is not random.
The laboratory technician processed the sample immediately.
We need a larger sample to confirm the hypothesis.
The audio sample was distorted during recording.
They conducted a pilot study with a small sample.
The sample reflects the characteristics of the whole group.
The collection serves as a representative sample of Victorian art.
He provided a sample of his DNA for the ancestry test.
The methodology requires a stratified sample for accuracy.
Her speech was a mere sample of the rhetoric to come.
The sample population was carefully selected by experts.
We must avoid sampling errors in our final report.
The curator displayed a sample of the ancient pottery.
The findings are consistent across every sample tested.
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"a taste of"
a small experience of something
That trip gave me a taste of travel.
neutral"the tip of the iceberg"
a small part of a big problem
This mistake is just the tip of the iceberg.
neutral"test the waters"
to try something out
I am testing the waters with this new job.
casual"try on for size"
to test an idea
Try this plan on for size.
casual"a drop in the ocean"
a very small amount
This donation is just a drop in the ocean.
neutral"sample the goods"
to try something
He decided to sample the goods.
casualEasily Confused
similar etymology
example is abstract, sample is physical
He is an example of kindness; I took a sample of the paint.
both are parts
specimen is more scientific
The doctor took a blood specimen.
both are small pieces
swatch is only for fabric/paint
I need a fabric swatch.
both are early versions
prototype is the first model
They built a prototype car.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + take + a sample of + noun
She took a sample of the water.
Subject + request + a sample of + noun
I requested a sample of the cloth.
There is + a + sample + in + noun
There is a sample in the box.
Subject + analyze + the sample
They analyzed the sample.
Subject + provide + a sample of + noun
He provided a sample of his work.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
If it is one item, do not pluralize.
Sample is physical; example is abstract.
Do not use 'a' with plural.
It is a noun adjunct.
It is a countable noun.
Tips
SAM-ple
Think of Sam taking a piece of something.
Business talk
Always ask for a sample before buying bulk.
Sample sales
Big in fashion cities.
Countable
Always use 'a' or 'the'.
Rhyme
Rhymes with ample.
Singular/Plural
Don't say 'a samples'.
Music
Sampling is key in hip hop.
Context
Use it when discussing data.
Science
Essential for lab work.
Food
Grocery stores love samples.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
SAMples are small parts of the SAMe thing.
Visual Association
A tiny piece of cake on a plate.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Ask for a sample next time you are at a store.
Wortherkunft
Latin
Original meaning: Exemplum (pattern/example)
Kultureller Kontext
None
Used heavily in retail and science.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Shopping
- Can I get a sample?
- Do you have a sample?
- Free sample
Medical
- Blood sample
- Urine sample
- Need a sample
Science
- Collect a sample
- Analyze the sample
- Sample size
Business
- Product sample
- Sample sale
- Request a sample
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever tried a free sample at a store?"
"Why do scientists need samples?"
"Do you prefer to see a sample before buying?"
"What is the strangest sample you have seen?"
"How does music sampling work?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you received a free sample.
Why is it important to test a sample before buying?
Write about a scientific experiment using samples.
How would you explain the word sample to a child?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenYes, it is.
Yes, 'I will sample the wine'.
No, sample is usually physical.
A sale of designer prototypes.
Add an 's'.
It is neutral.
Yes, that is a common phrase.
The count of items in a test.
Teste dich selbst
I tried a food ___.
We try food samples.
What is a sample?
A sample is a small part.
A sample size is the number of items in a study.
This is the definition.
Word
Bedeutung
These are related concepts.
He took a sample.
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
A sample is a small slice of reality that tells you about the whole.
- A sample is a small part of a whole.
- It is used for testing and checking quality.
- Commonly used in science, retail, and business.
- It is a countable noun.
SAM-ple
Think of Sam taking a piece of something.
Business talk
Always ask for a sample before buying bulk.
Sample sales
Big in fashion cities.
Countable
Always use 'a' or 'the'.
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