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discover

verb
dis·​cov·​er | \ di-ˈskÉ™-vÉ™r How to pronounce discover (audio) \
discovered; discovering\ di-​ˈskÉ™-​v(É™-​)riÅ‹ How to pronounce discovering (audio) \

Definition of discover

transitive verb

1a : to make known or visible : expose discovering himself … as her adoring and magnanimous lover— T. L. Peacock
b archaic : display
2a : 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
Other Words from discover Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about discover

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Other Words from discover

discoverable \ di-​ˈskÉ™-​v(É™-​)rÉ™-​bÉ™l How to pronounce discoverable (audio) \ adjective
discoverer \ di-​ˈskÉ™-​vÉ™r-​É™r How to pronounce discoverer (audio) \ noun

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

Christopher Columbus discovered the New World in 1492. 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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Two sinkholes that were discovered Tuesday in front of Eastpointe Middle School and in a residential neighborhood in Fraser have now been repaired. — Micah Walker, Detroit Free Press, "Sinkholes in Eastpointe, Fraser repaired," 1 Sep. 2019 Butte County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Megan McMann said Mahr was discovered in the Sacramento River around 9:20 a.m. Thursday. — Jake Hutchison, The Mercury News, "Body found by fisherman identified as missing Northern California man," 30 Aug. 2019 Court documents detailed that a rifle and a sledgehammer with blood on it were discovered in a wooded area behind the house. — Mahita Gajanan, Time, "'My Heart Was Turned to Ash.' Baseball Player Speaks Out After Murders of Wife, Son and Mother-in-Law," 30 Aug. 2019 The story is based on an unfinished manuscript and sketches by Geisel discovered in 2013, as completed by Australian illustrator Andrew Joyner. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "New Dr. Seuss book featured next week at UCSD," 30 Aug. 2019 In fact, her extroversion is what got her discovered in the first place. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "Whitney Way Thore Is Changing Reality TV for Fat Women," 29 Aug. 2019 But in 1992, researchers discovered more than 1,000 objects orbiting Neptune that rivaled and often exceeded Pluto's size, the International Astronomical Union said. — Scottie Andrew, CNN, "NASA chief says what we're all thinking: Pluto should be a planet again," 28 Aug. 2019 Regulators began reviewing the state’s policies for when to publicly report such incidents after a massive spill was discovered in 2013 in northwestern North Dakota by a wheat farmer. — BostonGlobe.com, "Key investor suggests Redstone ‘step back’ from Viacom-CBS," 28 Aug. 2019 The body of the 16-year-old Joliet Central student was discovered Tuesday in the Des Plaines River, officials said. — Marie Fazio, chicagotribune.com, "Mourners gather to remember Joliet teen Lesly Reynoso: ‘I don’t think there’s any pain greater in this world than having to lose a child’," 28 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'discover.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of discover

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

History and Etymology for discover

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

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More Definitions for discover

discover

verb
How to pronounce discover (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of discover

: to see, find, or become aware of (something) for the first time
: to show the presence of (something hidden or difficult to see) : to make (something) known
: to learn or find out (something surprising or unexpected)

See the full definition for discover in the English Language Learners Dictionary

discover

verb
dis·​cov·​er | \ di-ˈskÉ™-vÉ™r How to pronounce discover (audio) \
discovered; discovering

Kids Definition of discover

: to find out, see, or learn of especially for the first time : find Scientists have discovered a new species. She discovered a hole in her shirt.

Other Words from discover

discoverer noun

discover

transitive verb
dis·​cov·​er

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