# discover

/dɪˈskəvɝ/ (US) · /dɪskˈʌvɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/discover
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to find for the first time

verb · CEFR A2

to find a place, a thing, or a fact that nobody knew about before.

For teachers: to find or become aware of something previously unknown or hidden.

- Scientists recently discovered a new species of tiny frog in the rainforest.
- Archaeologists discovered the remains of a lost city buried beneath the desert sands, providing new insights into ancient trade routes.

### 2. to learn information

verb · CEFR A2

to learn something new by looking for it or by accident.

For teachers: to gain knowledge of something through investigation, study, or chance observation.

- I was surprised to discover that my neighbor is a famous musician.
- Upon reviewing the financial records, the auditor discovered several discrepancies that had gone unnoticed for years.

### 3. legal evidence exchange

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

to ask for or share information and documents before a court case starts.

For teachers: to obtain or exchange information and evidence through the formal process of discovery in a lawsuit.

- The lawyers need to discover all the emails related to the contract before the trial.
- The defense sought to discover the prosecution's witness list well in advance of the preliminary hearing to prepare their cross-examination strategy.

### 4. to reveal or show

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

to show a feeling or a secret that was hidden.

For teachers: to reveal or make manifest a quality, feeling, or piece of information.

- His shaking hands discovered his true fear despite his brave words.
- The poet's verses discover a deep melancholy that the author rarely expressed in his public life.

## Examples

- Scientists hope to discover a cure for the disease.
- The police were surprised to discover a hidden room behind the bookshelf during their search.
- While reviewing the historical archives, the researcher was thrilled to discover a series of letters that changed the common understanding of the treaty's origins.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.