discover

verb

dis·​cov·​er di-ˈskə-vər 

discovered; discovering di-ˈskə-v(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to make known or visible : expose

discovering himself … as her adoring and magnanimous lover

—T. L. Peacock

b

archaic : display

2

a

: to obtain sight or knowledge of for the first time : find

discover the solution

discovered a new Italian restaurant

b

: find out

discovered he was out of gas

intransitive verb

: to make a discovery

discoverable

di-ˈskə-v(ə-)rə-bəl 

adjective

discoverer

di-ˈskə-vər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• ascertain
• catch on (to)
• find out
• get on (to)
• hear
• learn
• realize
• see
• wise (up)

Choose the Right Synonym for discover

discover, ascertain, determine, unearth, learn mean to find out what one did not previously know.

discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter.

discovered the source of the river

ascertain implies effort to find the facts or the truth proceeding from awareness of ignorance or uncertainty.

attempts to ascertain the population of the region

determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely.

unable to determine the origin of the word

unearth implies bringing to light something forgotten or hidden.

unearth old records

learn may imply acquiring knowledge with little effort or conscious intention (as by simply being told) or it may imply study and practice.

I learned her name only today

learning Greek

Examples of discover in a Sentence

Several new species of plants have recently been discovered.

It took her several weeks to discover the solution.

The tests have discovered problems in the current design.

She soon discovered what had been going on.

Recent Examples on the Web

Students are being rehoused after a bat infestation was discovered in an NAU dorm. —The Arizona Republic, 5 Oct. 2024

In 1989, a deteriorated show print was discovered in Havana, enabling Universal to create a restoration, and the complete film was seen for the first time in decades in 1992. —Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Oct. 2024

The serial overcharging was discovered through inspections by Marin County’s Department of Agriculture, Division of Weights and Measures and its counterparts across the state. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024

Altman expects that his technology will fix the climate, help humankind establish space colonies, and discover all of physics. —David Karpf, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French descoverir, descovrir, from Late Latin discooperire, from Latin dis- + cooperire to cover — more at cover

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing discover

• co-discover

Kids Definition

discover

verb

dis·​cov·​er dis-ˈkəv-ər 

discovered; discovering -ˈkəv-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to make known or visible (as something secret or hidden)

2

a

: to obtain sight or knowledge of for the first time

discovered an uncharted island

discovered the law of gravity

b

: to detect the presence of : find

discovered a pizza waiting on the table

c

: find out

was surprised to discover that I had lost my keys

discoverable

-ˈkəv-(ə-)rə-bəl 

adjective

discoverer

-ˈkəv-ər-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

discover

transitive verb

dis·​cov·​er

1

: to find out about, recognize, or realize for the first time

when the victim discovers the fraud

see also discovery rule

2

a

: to make the subject of discovery

b

: to learn of or obtain (information) through discovery

discoverable adjective