ascertain

[ as-er-teyn ]

/ ˌæs ərˈteɪn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ascertain ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (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.

Nearby words

ascension day, ascensionist, ascensiontide, ascensive, ascent, ascertain, ascesis, ascetic, asceticism, asch, asch, sholem

Origin of ascertain

1400–50; late Middle English, variant of assertain, acertain < Middle French acertain- (tonic stem of acertener to make certain), equivalent to a- a-⁵ + certain certain

Related forms

as·cer·tain·a·ble, adjectiveas·cer·tain·a·bly, adverbas·cer·tain·er, nounas·cer·tain·ment, noun

non·as·cer·tain·a·ble, adjectivenon·as·cer·tain·a·ble·ness, nounnon·as·cer·tain·a·bly, adverbnon·as·cer·tain·ment, nounpre·as·cer·tain, verb (used with object)pre·as·cer·tain·ment, nounun·as·cer·tain·a·ble, adjectiveun·as·cer·tain·a·bly, adverbun·as·cer·tained, adjectivewell-as·cer·tained, adjective

Synonym study

1. See learn.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ascertain

Last week, a Politico reporter phoned me to ascertain my thoughts on the new war.
Obama’s Iraq Is Not Bush’s Iraq|Michael Tomasky|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We need a Special Select Committee on Benghazi to ascertain these facts and ensure that such a disaster never occurs again.
Why Democrats Are So Scared of Benghazi|Ron Christie|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, there is little existing research to ascertain this, or much else.
Breaking the Silence Over Campus Rapes|Emily Shire|January 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I try one final time to ascertain with Bradshaw what is in the ejaculatory mix.
New York’s Naughtiest Show (Maybe Avoid the Front Row)|Tim Teeman|January 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

For decades, people have been trying to ascertain the difference, but it mostly comes down to a level of taste.
Adult Magazine: The New Female Erotica|Erin Cunningham|November 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He calls for his attendant Herbert, who is sent to ascertain the cause of this midnight commotion.
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 11|Various
A mate was now sent into each, to ascertain what might be discovered to windward.
Sea Stories|Various
Whether de Blainville's or Sowerby's plate appeared first I cannot ascertain.
A Monograph on the Sub-class Cirripedia (Volume 2 of 2)|Charles Darwin
Where to direct my steps was the difficult point to ascertain.
Olla Podrida|Frederick Marryat (AKA Captain Marryat)
It was, however, very tantalising, as we were anxious to ascertain what had become of the Dolphin.
A Yacht Voyage Round England|W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for ascertain

ascertain

/ (ˌæsəˈteɪn) /

verb (tr)

to determine or discover definitely

archaic to make certain

Derived Forms

ascertainable, adjectiveascertainably, adverbascertainment, noun

Word Origin for ascertain

C15: from Old French acertener to make certain

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ascertain

verb (used with object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of ascertain

Related forms

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for ascertain

British Dictionary definitions for ascertain

ascertain

verb (tr)

Derived Forms

Word Origin for ascertain