This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
ascertain
[ as-er-teyn ]
/ ĖƦs ÉrĖteÉŖn /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
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.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known asā¦
Origin of ascertain
OTHER WORDS FROM ascertain
Words nearby ascertain
Ascension Day, ascensionist, Ascensiontide, ascensive, ascent, ascertain, ascesis, ascetic, asceticism, Asch, Aschaffenburg
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023
WHEN TO USE
What are other ways to sayĀ 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.
How to use ascertain in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for ascertain
ascertain
/ (ĖƦsÉĖteÉŖn) /
verb (tr)
to determine or discover definitely
archaic to make certain
Derived forms of ascertain
ascertainable, adjectiveascertainably, adverbascertainment, nounWord Origin for ascertain
C15: from Old French acertener to make certain
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012