# investigate

/ˌɪnˈvɛstəˌɡeɪt/ (US) · /ɪnvˈɛstɪɡˌeɪt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to solve a crime or mystery

verb · CEFR B1

to look for facts to find out how something happened, especially a crime or an accident.

For teachers: to carry out a formal inquiry into an incident or allegation to establish the truth. Often used with a direct object representing the event or the person involved.

- The police are currently investigating the cause of the fire at the warehouse.
- Detectives were assigned to investigate the disappearance of the documents, though they found little evidence of forced entry at the scene.

Usage: This verb is transitive and takes a direct object representing the subject of the inquiry.

### 2. to study scientifically

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to study a subject or a problem carefully to discover new information.

For teachers: to conduct a systematic study or research into a particular subject, phenomenon, or scientific principle.

- Scientists are investigating how the new medicine affects the heart.
- The research team plans to investigate the long-term environmental impact of plastic waste on deep-sea ecosystems over the next decade.

Usage: Commonly followed by a 'how', 'why', or 'whether' clause in academic contexts.

## Examples

- The police need to investigate the crime.
- Scientists are currently working to investigate the long-term effects of the new medicine on patients.
- The committee was formed to investigate allegations of financial misconduct, though their final report suggested that the errors were administrative rather than intentional.

---

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.