ENGLISH
REFERENCE

discovery

n. C / U
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˌdɪsˈkəvɹi// UK //dɪskˈʌvəɹi// dis·cov·ery Archaic General-service

n. the act of finding something for the first time, or the thing that you found. It often happens when you explore a new place or study a subject deeply.

n. the act or process of finding or learning something that was previously unknown. It can refer to the event itself or the specific object or information revealed.


SIMPLE

The discovery of gold changed the history of the region.

CONTEXTUAL

Scientists made a major discovery when they found a new species of fish living deep in the ocean.

COMPLEX

While the initial discovery of the ruins was accidental, the subsequent archaeological excavation revealed a complex urban society that had remained hidden for over a millennium.

Synonyms
Origin

from discover + -ery, on the pattern of the pair recover, recovery. Displaced native Old English onfundennes.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general process of finding things; countable when referring to a specific finding or event.

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