View synonyms for discover

discover

[ dih-skuhv-er ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to see, get knowledge of, learn of, find, or find out; gain sight or knowledge of (something previously unseen or unknown):
to discover America;
to discover electricity.
Synonyms: notice, ferret out, unearth, ascertain, discern, descry, detect
to notice or realize:
I discovered I didn't have my credit card with me when I went to pay my bill.
Archaic. to make known; reveal; disclose.

discover

/ dɪˈskʌvə /

verb

to be the first to find or find out about
Fleming discovered penicillin
to learn about or encounter for the first time; realize
she discovered the pleasures of wine
to find after study or search
I discovered a leak in the tank
to reveal or make known

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Derived Forms

disˈcoverer, noun
disˈcoverable, adjective

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Other Words From

dis·cover·a·ble adjective
dis·cover·a·bly adverb
nondis·cover·a·ble adjective
predis·cover verb (used with object)
redis·cover verb (used with object)
undis·cover·a·ble adjective
undis·covered adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of discover¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English discouere(n), descuvere(n), from Anglo-French discoverir, descovrir, from Old French descovrir, descuvrir, from Late Latin discooperīre “to disclose, expose”; dis- ¹, cover

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Synonym Study

Discover, invent, originate suggest bringing to light something previously unknown. To discover may be to find something that had previously existed but had hitherto been unknown: to discover a new electricity; it may also refer to devising a new use for something already known: to discover how to make synthetic rubber. To invent is to make or create something new, especially something ingeniously devised to perform mechanical operations: to invent a device for detecting radioactivity. To originate is to begin something new, especially new ideas, methods, etc.: to originate a political movement, the use of assembly-line techniques.

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Example Sentences

Will we discover whether or not Krieger is a clone this season, and will that be an ongoing plotline?

From The Daily Beast

Capaldi said it was remarkable to discover the human frailties at the center of such a mind.

From The Daily Beast

Their night takes an unexpected twist when they break into a home and discover a young girl is being held captive inside.

From The Daily Beast

But when the ship arrives at the planet, they discover Dr. Mann—played by none other than Matt Damon.

From The Daily Beast

To work for Jarrett is to discover someone who listens and someone who expects nothing less than the very best.

From The Daily Beast

We can not measure it by the amount of its contribution to the product, for that is the very matter that we want to discover.

From Project Gutenberg

But her parents, did you never discover any thing about them—who or what they were—the motive of so strange an abandonment?

From Project Gutenberg

That she was unwise in assuming her own will so promptly, with little regard to consulting his, she might yet discover.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet in many cases their good sense fails to discover the right way.

From Project Gutenberg

In this way he was often able to discover opportunities for doing much good to his subjects.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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