discover

1 of 2

verb

dis·​cov·​er di-ˈskə-vər How to pronounce discover (audio)
discovered; discovering di-ˈskə-v(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce discover (audio)
Synonyms of discover

transitive verb

1
a
: to make known or visible : expose
… discovering himself … as her adoring and magnanimous lover …—T. L. Peacock
b
archaic : display
2
a
: to obtain sight or knowledge of for the first time : find
discover the solution
discovered a new Italian restaurant
b
: find out
discovered he was out of gas

intransitive verb

: to make a discovery
discoverable
di-ˈskə-v(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce discover (audio)
adjective
discoverer
di-ˈskə-vər-ər How to pronounce discover (audio)
noun

discoverer

2 of 2

noun

dis·​cov·​er·​er -v(ə)rə(r) How to pronounce discoverer (audio)
plural -s
1
obsolete
a
: informer
b
: scout, spy
2
: one who first finds out the existence or truth of something hitherto unknown (as by exploration, experiment, research, reasoning)
3
: one that discovers a vein or lode and makes the first location thereon compare free miner, locator

Synonyms of discover

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for discover

discover, ascertain, determine, unearth, learn mean to find out what one did not previously know.

discover may apply to something requiring exploration or investigation or to a chance encounter.

discovered the source of the river

ascertain implies effort to find the facts or the truth proceeding from awareness of ignorance or uncertainty.

attempts to ascertain the population of the region

determine emphasizes the intent to establish the facts definitely or precisely.

unable to determine the origin of the word

unearth implies bringing to light something forgotten or hidden.

unearth old records

learn may imply acquiring knowledge with little effort or conscious intention (as by simply being told) or it may imply study and practice.

I learned her name only today
learning Greek

Examples of discover in a Sentence

Verb Several new species of plants have recently been discovered. It took her several weeks to discover the solution. The tests have discovered problems in the current design. She soon discovered what had been going on.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Wind Cave National Park officials notified the public of three bats that tested positive for rabies 42 days after the first was discovered in May. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Through both global and regional open calls, PhotoVogue continues to discover and amplify voices across geographies and communities. — Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026 Over the summer, Newcastle discovered there was a way to both marginally increase capacity — to meet at least a fraction of the insatiable demand for tickets — and also bring in additional revenue. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Suresh Raut, deputy manager at the Nepal Electricity Authority, who was at the rescue site when the body was discovered, said an 11-man team, including relatives of the missing, has been dispatched to search the surrounding area. — Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discover

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French descoverir, descovrir, from Late Latin discooperire, from Latin dis- + cooperire to cover — more at cover

Noun

Middle English discoverer, discurer, from Old French descovreur, from descovrir + -eur -or

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of discover was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing discover

Rhymes for discover

See All Rhymes for discover

Browse Nearby Words

discous
discover
discoverable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Discover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discover. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

discover

verb
dis·​cov·​er dis-ˈkəv-ər How to pronounce discover (audio)
discovered; discovering -ˈkəv-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce discover (audio)
1
: to make known or visible (as something secret or hidden)
2
a
: to obtain sight or knowledge of for the first time
discovered an uncharted island
discovered the law of gravity
b
: to detect the presence of : find
discovered a pizza waiting on the table
c
: find out
was surprised to discover that I had lost my keys
discoverable
-ˈkəv-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce discover (audio)
adjective
discoverer
-ˈkəv-ər-ər How to pronounce discover (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

discover

transitive verb
dis·​cov·​er
1
: to find out about, recognize, or realize for the first time
when the victim discovers the fraud
see also discovery rule
2
a
: to make the subject of discovery
b
: to learn of or obtain (information) through discovery
discoverable adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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