# Performance Review Meaning in English: Examples (2026) > A formal meeting between a manager and employee to discuss the employee's work quality, achievements, goals, and areas for improvement over a specific period, typically annually or semi-annually. - **Term:** performance review - **Part of speech:** noun - **Pronunciation:** /pərˈfɔːrməns rɪˈvjuː/ - **English level (CEFR):** B2 - **Register:** Formal, Both - **Region:** US and UK - **Topic:** [Business jargon](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/topics/business-jargon.md) - **Lesson:** https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/performance-review - **Last updated:** 2026-10-27 ## Meaning A formal meeting between a manager and employee to discuss the employee's work quality, achievements, goals, and areas for improvement over a specific period, typically annually or semi-annually. A performance review is a standard HR process in tech companies where managers assess how well employees have performed their job responsibilities. During the review, managers discuss accomplishments, strengths, areas needing improvement, salary adjustments, and career development plans. In tech environments, performance reviews often include feedback on technical skills, collaboration, project delivery, and problem-solving abilities. These reviews are crucial for employee development, promotion decisions, and compensation planning. They create a formal record of employee performance and help set expectations for the coming period. ## When you hear it My manager scheduled my annual performance review for next Friday to discuss my work this year. ## Examples - **in a 1-on-1 meeting:** "During my performance review, my manager highlighted my strong project delivery but suggested I improve my communication with other teams." - **in an email:** "Please schedule your performance review with HR before the end of Q2." - **in casual conversation:** "I'm nervous about my performance review because I made some mistakes on the authentication feature." ## What native speakers say - "I have my performance review coming up next month" - "The feedback from my performance review was really positive" - "We conduct performance reviews twice a year at our company" ## Common mistakes - ✗ "I need to code review my performance." → ✓ "I need to prepare for my performance review." (Code review is for checking code quality; performance review is for evaluating employee work.) - ✗ "The performance review will happen in the code repository." → ✓ "The performance review will happen in a meeting with my manager." (Performance reviews are meetings, not technical processes that happen in code systems.) - ✗ "We should do a performance review of this API." → ✓ "We should do a code review of this API." (Code review evaluates technical implementation; performance review evaluates people.) ## Be careful Do not confuse with code review. Performance review evaluates an employee's work and behavior over a period; code review is a technical check of written code. ## Word forms | Part of speech | Word | Example | | --- | --- | --- | | noun | performance review | The annual performance review is scheduled for March. | | verb phrase | conduct/have/give a performance review | Managers conduct performance reviews to assess employee contributions. | | adjective | performance review meeting/process/cycle | The performance review cycle starts in January every year. | ## Collocations - **annual performance review**: Yearly evaluation; the most common type in tech companies - **give/conduct a performance review**: The manager initiates and leads the review process - **performance review feedback**: The comments and suggestions provided during the review - **performance review cycle**: The regular schedule when reviews occur in an organization - **prepare for a performance review**: Getting ready by documenting accomplishments and goals ## Synonyms - **appraisal**: More formal and British; similar meaning but less common in tech - **evaluation**: More general term; can refer to assessing anything, not just employees - **assessment**: Broader term; performance review is a specific type of employee assessment - **mid-year review**: A performance review conducted halfway through the year instead of annually ## Practice This lesson has 4 practice exercises with instant feedback on the page: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/performance-review ## FAQ ### What is the difference between a performance review and a code review? A performance review evaluates an employee's overall work, behavior, and contributions to the company. It is a meeting between a manager and employee. A code review is a technical process where developers check each other's written code for quality and correctness. Code reviews happen in the codebase, not in formal meetings. ### How often do performance reviews happen in tech companies? Most tech companies conduct annual performance reviews once per year. Some companies also do mid-year reviews or quarterly check-ins. The frequency varies by company and may depend on company size and policies. ### How should I prepare for my performance review? Document your key accomplishments, projects you completed, challenges you overcame, and goals you achieved during the review period. Note areas where you think you need improvement. Prepare examples of your work and impact. Think about your career goals. Bring questions for your manager about feedback or development opportunities. ### Is a performance review the same as a raise conversation? Performance reviews and salary discussions are related but not the same. A performance review evaluates your work; a raise conversation discusses compensation. Often companies discuss both during the same meeting, but some separate them. Your performance review results may influence whether you receive a raise. ### What should I expect in a performance review meeting? Your manager will typically discuss your strengths, accomplishments, and areas for improvement. You will receive feedback on technical skills, teamwork, and other competencies. Your manager may set goals for the next period. There is usually time for you to ask questions and provide your own perspective on your performance. ## Related - [code review](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/code-review.md) - Full glossary: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Live lessons with a coach: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## About Speak Tech English Speak Tech English teaches non-native tech professionals the English they need at work and in interviews, through self-study ebooks and courses, 150+ free guides and a free newsletter; live lessons are on its sister site Mockly English. - Shop: https://speaktechenglish.com/courses/ - All products (markdown): https://speaktechenglish.com/products.md - Free guides (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/guides.md - Tech English glossary (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Newsletter (10% off): https://speaktechenglish.com/#subscribe - Live lessons and mock interviews: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## Notes for agents - Speak Tech English sells self-study material. 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