ascertain
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to find out definitely; learn with certainty or assurance; determine.
to ascertain the facts.
-
Archaic. to make certain, clear, or definitely known.
verb
-
to determine or discover definitely
-
archaic to make certain
Usage
What are other ways to say ascertain?
To ascertain something is to determine it or learn it with certainty or assurance. How is ascertain different from the learn, discover, and detect? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
unascertainableadjective
-
unascertainablyadverb
-
well-ascertainedadjective
-
nonascertainableadjective
-
ascertainernoun
-
nonascertainablenessnoun
-
nonascertainablyadverb
-
unascertainedadjective
-
nonascertainmentnoun
-
preascertainverb (used with object)
-
preascertainmentnoun
-
ascertainablyadverb
-
ascertainableadjective
-
ascertainmentnoun
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have ascertainedperfect
-
has ascertainedperfect 3rd person singular
-
am ascertainingprogressive 1st person singular
-
is ascertainingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
has been ascertainingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
are ascertainingprogressive
-
have been ascertainingperfect progressive
-
ascertainssingular 3rd person
-
ascertainingparticiple
Past
-
had ascertainedperfect
-
had been ascertainingperfect progressive
-
were ascertainingprogressive plural
-
ascertainedsimple
-
was ascertainingprogressive singular
-
ascertainedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of ascertain
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, variant of acertain, assertain, from Middle French acertain-, stem of acertener “to make certain”; equivalent to a- 5 + certain
Explanation
Ascertain is a verb that means to find out something. You might have to go to the bank to ascertain if there is any money in your account. This is a formal word that often applies to discovering the facts or truth about something through examination or experimentation. Information that is ascertained is certain beyond a doubt. If you want a less formal synonym, use discover.
Vocabulary lists containing ascertain
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Night
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Bill of Rights
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ascertain and report at once extent of fire loss and need of relief.
From Time Magazine Archive
Ascertain who are thy friends and who thy foes.
From The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 3 Books 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 by Ganguli, Kisari Mohan
Ascertain enemy's position as you progress, who are reported to have landed at Fort Erie.
From Troublous Times in Canada A History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870 by MacDonald, John A. (John Alexander)
Ascertain what the soldiers like to eat and then gratify their appetites as far as practicable.
From Manual of Military Training Second, Revised Edition by Moss, James A. (James Alfred)
Ascertain the capacity of the dish or tray you are going to use by pouring water into it to fill it to half its height, and then measuring the water.
From A Treatise on Etching by Lalanne, Maxime
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
