Word
discover
Phoneticsdis·cov·er, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈskəvɝ/
UK/dɪskˈʌvɐ/
Definitions
01to find for the first time
A2 · Elementary
v. to find a place, a thing, or a fact that nobody knew about before.
v. 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.”
Pitfall
The scientist discovered a new cure of the disease.
The scientist discovered a new cure for the disease.
When discovering a solution or cure, use the preposition 'for'.
02to learn information
A2 · Elementary
v. to learn something new by looking for it or by accident.
v. 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.”
03legal evidence exchange
C1 · Advanced Law Technical · Formal
v. to ask for or share information and documents before a court case starts.
v. 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.”
04to reveal or show
C2 · Proficiency Literary · Archaic
v. to show a feeling or a secret that was hidden.
v. 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.”
Confusables
Discover describes finding something that already existed but was unknown to the world, while find out describes learning new information or facts through effort or by chance.
RememberDiscover is for hidden things; find out is for hidden facts.
Discover is finding something that was already there; invent is creating something that never existed before.
RememberDiscover = Uncover. Invent = Intent.
Discover is for finding something that already existed in the world; realize is for a sudden shift in your own understanding.
RememberDiscover is finding a place; realize is finding a thought.
Etymology
From Middle English discoveren, from Old French descovrir, from Late Latin discoperīre < discooperiō, discooperīre, from Latin dis- + cooperiō. Displaced native Old English onfindan.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/discover