investigate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to examine, study, or inquire into systematically; search or examine into the particulars of; examine in detail.
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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)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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quasi-investigatedadjective
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preinvestigateverb
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uninvestigativeadjective
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investigativeadjective
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investigableadjective
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investigatornoun
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reinvestigateverb
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well-investigatedadjective
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uninvestigatoryadjective
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preinvestigatornoun
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uninvestigatedadjective
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investigatoryadjective
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uninvestigatingadjective
Etymology
Origin of investigate
First recorded in 1500–10; from Latin investīgātus, past participle of investīgāre “to follow a trail, search out”; see in- 2, vestige, -ate 1
Explanation
To investigate is to look into something systematically. If you don't understand how tornadoes work, for example, investigate the forces of wind and find out. Investigate still acts a lot like the word it comes from, investigationem meaning "a searching into," which came from the Latin for "to track a footprint." It's exactly what you do when you investigate. You can investigate in the name of science, which is to look into something systematically, like when you research how tornadoes work. If you investigate a person, you find out everything you can — and you might need to hire a private eye for help.
Vocabulary lists containing investigate
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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List 8
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Word Generation Science - Preparing a Scientific Investigation
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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.
Responding to that, Squires said that where complaints are made by individuals, these are kept confidential while they investigate.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
When providers submit high bills, insurers often attempt to negotiate lower prices and can investigate and sanction providers suspected of fraud.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
Reform UK has backed Kenyon and said the party said it had no plans to investigate him over his previous comments.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
To investigate how the brain turns social information into action, the researchers used zebrafish, a model organism that allows scientists to monitor brain activity at the level of individual cells.
From Science Daily • Jun. 2, 2026
On June 4, 1850, just a few days after the Fox sisters’ arrival, Greeley spontaneously invited a friend and turned up at Barnum’s Hotel to investigate this new idea of spirit communication.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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.
