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
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investigableadjective
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investigativeadjective
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investigatornoun
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investigatoryadjective
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preinvestigateverb
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preinvestigatornoun
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quasi-investigatedadjective
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reinvestigateverb
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uninvestigatedadjective
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uninvestigatingadjective
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uninvestigativeadjective
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uninvestigatoryadjective
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well-investigatedadjective
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
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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.
“Unfortunately, it’s pretty widespread. We don’t have a specific area where they’re occurring,” Carlos Heraud, the assistant chief of Investigate Service Bureaus, told The Washington Times.
From Washington Times • Oct. 4, 2023
The Investigate Europe report, like the one from France Info, was also based on facts Orpea reported to authorities as part of the ongoing investigation.
From Reuters • May 19, 2022
Legal experts were shocked on Thursday about revelations that the Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 Attack on the U.S.
From Salon • Mar. 24, 2022
Investigate before giving directly to online campaigns for individuals.
From Washington Post • Dec. 14, 2021
Investigate the three-cents-a-day hospital plan in your community.
From The Good Housekeeping Marriage Book by Bigelow, William F. (William Frederick)
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.
