investigate

[ in-ves-ti-geyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·ves·ti·gat·ed, in·ves·ti·gat·ing.

1. to examine, study, or inquire into systematically; search or examine into the particulars of; examine in detail.
2. to search out and examine the particulars of in an attempt to learn the facts about something hidden, unique, or complex, especially in an attempt to find a motive, cause, or culprit:

   The police are investigating the murder.

verb (used without object)

, in·ves·ti·gat·ed, in·ves·ti·gat·ing.

1. to make inquiry, examination, or investigation.

investigate

/ ɪnˈvɛstɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. to inquire into (a situation or problem, esp a crime or death) thoroughly; examine systematically, esp in order to discover the truth

Derived Forms

• inˈvestigative, adjective
• inˈvestigable, adjective

Other Words From

• in·vesti·gative in·ves·ti·ga·to·ry [in-, ves, -ti-g, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• in·vesti·gator noun
• prein·vesti·gate verb preinvestigated preinvestigating
• prein·vesti·gator noun
• quasi-in·vesti·gated adjective
• rein·vesti·gate verb reinvestigated reinvestigating
• unin·vesti·gated adjective
• unin·vesti·gating adjective
• unin·vesti·gative adjective
• unin·vesti·ga·tory adjective
• well-in·vesti·gated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of investigate¹

First recorded in 1500–10; from Latin investīgātus, past participle of investīgāre “to follow a trail, search out”; in- ², vestige, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of investigate¹

C16: from Latin investīgāre to search after, from in- ² + vestīgium track; see vestige

Example Sentences

Now that he’s finally gone there’s an opportunity to explore and investigate a lot more of what’s going on under the hood.

From Digiday

Detectives are continuing to investigate leads and conduct interviews, police said.

From Washington Post

When Umansky tried to find out whether the Police Department would investigate the cops’ actions, he discovered all the ways the NYPD is shielded from accountability.

From ProPublica

Detectives remained at the scene investigating Wednesday evening.

From Washington Post

When they reported the crimes, police sometimes failed to investigate or prosecutors declined to file charges.

From ProPublica

When there were disputes between students, Mecallari would leave one party with Ramos while he went to investigate.

From The Daily Beast

Starr stresses that universities are required under Title IX to investigate and intervene in sexual assault cases.

From The Daily Beast

The campaign also said that they would be asking state and federal authorities to investigate.

From The Daily Beast

The National Transportation Safety Board also will investigate the crash, a spokesman told The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

Vita activists have demanded that police investigate how the sea creatures appeared in Moscow and why.

From The Daily Beast

I resolved to investigate the matter, as it was only verbal, so that it might not become public.

From Project Gutenberg

Twenty baskets of it were obtained by the said miners to assay and investigate its nature, and determine what it might be.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1901 he went to India to investigate for the Government the railways there, and to report upon them.

From Project Gutenberg

It would be curious to investigate the feelings of princes on occasions so momentous to themselves and to their people.

From Project Gutenberg

He halted to investigate and find out what was wrong, and at that moment a startled cry came from Clip.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• consider
• examine
• explore
• inspect
• interrogate
• probe
• question
• review
• scrutinize
• search
• study