DictionaryAI

discover

verb
di-SKUV-ur/dɪˈskʌvɚ/Saydi-SKUV-uhUK/dɪˈskʌvə/AUS/dɪˈskavə/

Formsdiscovers, discovering, discovered

7 meanings of discover

Practice

  1. 1
    findverbtransitive
    To find or learn about something for the first time.

    Like opening a door and seeing something no one knew was there.

    Scientists discover new species deep in the ocean every year.

    She discovered an old letter tucked inside the book.

    UsageYou discover what is already there; you invent something new.

    Similarfind, unearth, detect, identify, learn

    Note
  2. 2
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To explore an area carefully to find out what is there.
    they seyde the same, and were aggreed that Sir Clegis, Sir Claryon, and Sir Clement the noble, that they sholde dyscover the woodys, bothe the dalys and the downys.
    1470, Thomas Malory, “Capitulum ix”Here, dyscover means to explore an area to learn about it and spot danger.
    Note
  3. 3
    make knownverbarchaictransitive
    To tell or show others something that was secret or hidden.
    Prosperity doth best discover vice; but adversity doth best discover virtue.
    1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Adversity”Here, discover means to reveal or show what was hidden.
    Go, draw aside the curtains, and discover / The several caskets to this noble prince.
    c. 1596, William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”
    Note

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Origin

It came through Old French from Latin words meaning to uncover. It replaced the older English word 'onfindan'.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts