ascertain
Americanverb (used with object)
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to find out definitely; learn with certainty or assurance; determine.
to ascertain the facts.
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Archaic. to make certain, clear, or definitely known.
verb
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to determine or discover definitely
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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
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ascertainableadjective
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ascertainablyadverb
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ascertainernoun
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ascertainmentnoun
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nonascertainableadjective
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nonascertainablenessnoun
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nonascertainablyadverb
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nonascertainmentnoun
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preascertainverb (used with object)
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preascertainmentnoun
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unascertainableadjective
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unascertainablyadverb
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unascertainedadjective
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well-ascertainedadjective
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
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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 by all means then," quoth Madame impatiently, "the other thief ascertained the same thing an hour ago, and I must confess that he did so more profitably than you are like to do."
From The Bronze Eagle A Story of the Hundred Days by Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness
Ascertain when done by means of a skewer or a small sharp-pointed knife.
From Hand-Book of Practical Cookery for Ladies and Professional Cooks by Blot, Pierre
Ascertain as soon as possible that man's tastes; what he reads and what he delights in.
From Scientific American Supplement, No. 623, December 10, 1887 by Various
Ascertain what words are meant to convey, and what they actually do convey.
From A Logic Of Facts Or, Every-day Reasoning by Holyoake, George Jacob
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.
