discover

1 of 2

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

discoverer

2 of 2

noun

dis·​cov·​er·​er -v(ə)rə(r) 

plural -s

1

obsolete

a

: informer

b

: scout, spy

2

: one who first finds out the existence or truth of something hitherto unknown (as by exploration, experiment, research, reasoning)

3

: one that discovers a vein or lode and makes the first location thereon compare free miner, locator

Synonyms of discover

Verb

• realize
• learn
• see
• hear
• find

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

Verb

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

Verb

The device was one of two that had been removed from the garage of an apartment in Santa Monica after they were discovered by a tenant in July. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

One misstep can lead to criminal charges or, worse, being held without bail for 120 days — just as Airman Kyle Culotta discovered. —Toby Leary, Boston Herald, 3 June 2026

With its focus on discovering distinctive talent, MFW includes runway shows, as well as market and showroom, where collections can be directly evaluated by buyers – formats that can support sales activity. —Malana Vantyler, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026

Incredibly, fragments of genetic material from the microbes living in Ötzi’s gut were also preserved—thanks to both the conditions before he was discovered and after. —Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

Middle English discoverer, discurer, from Old French descovreur, from descovrir + -eur -or

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing discover

• co-discover

Rhymes for discover

• hardcover
• recover
• thereover
• uncover
• cover
• hover
• plover
• rediscover
• undercover

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