discover

verb

dis·​cov·​er di-ˈskə-vər How to pronounce discover (audio)
discovered; discovering di-ˈskə-v(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce discover (audio)
Synonyms of discovernext

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 How to pronounce discover (audio)
adjective
discoverer
di-ˈskə-vər-ər How to pronounce discover (audio)
noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
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 Bob James Bob James, of Marshall, Missouri, was discovered at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival in 1963, according to his website. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2024 The longest reticulated python ever discovered was 32 feet in length and weighed an incredible 350 pounds, according to Reptiles Magazine. —Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 8 June 2024 Like the 2024 Sox, the 1997 Cubs discovered new ways to lose almost every day, turning what should have been just a bad stretch of baseball into a historic streak. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2024 The new species was discovered in northern Thailand, along the border with Myanmar. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for discover 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'discover.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of discover was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing discover

Dictionary Entries Near discover

discous

discover

discovered check

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Discover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discover. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.

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Kids Definition

discover

verb
dis·​cov·​er dis-ˈkəv-ər How to pronounce discover (audio)
discovered; discovering -ˈkəv-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce discover (audio)
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 How to pronounce discover (audio)
adjective
discoverer
-ˈkəv-ər-ər How to pronounce discover (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on discover

Nglish: Translation of discover for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of discover for Arabic Speakers

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