discover

dis·cov·er

verb \dis-ˈkə-vər\

dis·cov·ereddis·cov·er·ing\-ˈkə-v(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of DISCOVER

transitive verb

1

a : to make known or visible : expose b archaic : display

2

a : to obtain sight or knowledge of for the first time : find <discover the solution> b : find out <discovered he was out of gas>

intransitive verb

: to make a discovery

— dis·cov·er·able \-ˈkə-v(ə-)rə-bəl\ adjective

— dis·cov·er·er \-ər-ər\ noun

Examples of DISCOVER

1. Christopher Columbus discovered the New World in 1492.
2. Several new species of plants have recently been discovered.
3. It took her several weeks to discover the solution.
4. The tests have discovered problems in the current design.
5. She soon discovered what had been going on.

Origin of DISCOVER

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

Related to DISCOVER

Synonyms: ascertain, catch on (to), find out, get on (to), hear, learn, realize, see, wise (up), get wind of

Antonyms: miss, overlook, pass over

Related Words: hit (on or upon), tumble (to); descry, detect, encounter, espy, see, spot; calculate, dope (out), figure out, find, puzzle (out); discern, mind, note, observe, perceive; divine

Near Antonyms: miss, overlook; disregard, ignore; forget, unlearn; blanket, blot out, cloak, conceal, cover, curtain, enshroud, hide, mask, occult, screen, shroud, veil

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of 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>.

Rhymes with DISCOVER

bedcover, break cover, dustcover, gill cover, ground cover, hardcover, re-cover, recover, slipcover, softcover, uncover, windhover