discover

[dih-skuhv-er]

verb (used with object)

1. to see, get knowledge of, learn of, find, or find out; gain sight or knowledge of (something previously unseen or unknown).

   to discover America;

   to discover electricity.

   Synonyms: notice, ferret out, unearth, ascertain, discern, descry, detect

2. to notice or realize.

   I discovered I didn't have my credit card with me when I went to pay my bill.

3. Archaic.,  to make known; reveal; disclose.

discover

/ dɪˈskʌvə /

verb

1. to be the first to find or find out about

   Fleming discovered penicillin

2. to learn about or encounter for the first time; realize

   she discovered the pleasures of wine

3. to find after study or search

   I discovered a leak in the tank

4. to reveal or make known

Other Word Forms

• discoverable adjective
• discoverably adverb
• nondiscoverable adjective
• prediscover verb (used with object)
• rediscover verb (used with object)
• undiscoverable adjective
• undiscovered adjective
• discoverer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discover¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English discouere(n), descuvere(n), from Anglo-French discoverir, descovrir, from Old French descovrir, descuvrir, from Late Latin discooperīre “to disclose, expose”; dis- ¹, cover

Synonym Study

Discover, invent, originate suggest bringing to light something previously unknown. To discover may be to find something that had previously existed but had hitherto been unknown: to discover a new electricity; it may also refer to devising a new use for something already known: to discover how to make synthetic rubber. To invent is to make or create something new, especially something ingeniously devised to perform mechanical operations: to invent a device for detecting radioactivity. To originate is to begin something new, especially new ideas, methods, etc.: to originate a political movement, the use of assembly-line techniques.

Example Sentences

In a standout scene that distills several kinds of awe into one, Amélie discovers that she loves rain, only to be told by the nanny that “ame” is Japanese for rain.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

New York Democrats have already discovered this, watching a clutch of sleepy, lazy or otherwise unsuitable primary candidates fail to capitalize on Mr. Mamdani’s many obvious shortcomings to knock him out of the race.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The items, which police said have an explosive content of 163kg, were discovered in a van in Rosyth on Monday by officers acting on intelligence.

Read more on BBC

They also said they discovered fraudulent contracts from customers dating back to 2018.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Eve Ross, who is a nursery worker in Kent, went to her doctor after she discovered a small lump in her armpit in January 2024.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• catch 
• come upon 
• design 
• detect 
• determine 
• devise 
• disclose 
• explore 
• hear 
• identify 
• invent 
• learn 
• locate 
• notice 
• observe 
• realize 
• recognize 
• reveal 
• see 
• spot 

When To Use

What are other ways to say discover?

To discover something is to see, get knowledge of, or find it. How does discover differ from learn, ascertain, and detect? Find out on Thesaurus.com.