discover
verb
dis·cov·er di-ˈskə-vər 
discovered; discovering di-ˈskə-v(ə-)riŋ
transitive verb
1
a
: to make known or visible : expose
discovering himself … as her adoring and magnanimous lover
T. L. Peacock
T. L. Peacock b
archaic : display
2
a
: to obtain sight or knowledge of for the first time : find
discover the solution
discovered a new Italian restaurant
b
: find out
discovered he was out of gas
intransitive verb
: to make a discovery
discoverable
di-ˈskə-v(ə-)rə-bəl
adjective discoverer
di-ˈskə-vər-ər
noun 
Synonyms
- ascertain
- catch on (to)
- find out
- get on (to)
- hear
- learn
- realize
- see
- wise (up)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Several new species of plants have recently been discovered. It took her several weeks to discover the solution. The tests have discovered problems in the current design. She soon discovered what had been going on.
Recent Examples on the Web Meanwhile, fairies start to go missing, while Bloom and her suitemates discover a dangerous threat lurking in the shadows. Andy Meek, BGR, 17 Sep. 2022 Below, read on to shop their beauty cabinets and discover some helpful insights to inform your routine. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2022 Eat, drink and discover mimosas, waffles, citrus ales and more. Amanda Kondolojy, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Among them are a young man who does genealogy work at low cost, helping others discover their Latino roots. NBC news, 15 Sep. 2022 And it's been so exciting to see a new generation discover Bemelmans. Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 12 Sep. 2022 When searching for flights, use an online tool such as Google Flights or Skyscanner to look for flight options, to find the cheapest fare, and also discover dates that avoid a layover. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Sep. 2022 It’s the passing of the baton for the unlikely duo — a hard-nosed Brit and a sunny Texas girl — who have known each other since Cowell helped discover Clarkson as that first American Idol. Elizabeth Wagmeister, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 After all, there are so many kinds and regional variations that even those of us who were born in Vietnamese households often discover new ones throughout our lives. Dan Q. Dao, Chron, 6 Sep. 2022 See More
Andy Meek, BGR, 17 Sep. 2022 Below, read on to shop their beauty cabinets and discover some helpful insights to inform your routine. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2022 Eat, drink and discover mimosas, waffles, citrus ales and more. Amanda Kondolojy, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Among them are a young man who does genealogy work at low cost, helping others discover their Latino roots. NBC news, 15 Sep. 2022 And it's been so exciting to see a new generation discover Bemelmans. Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 12 Sep. 2022 When searching for flights, use an online tool such as Google Flights or Skyscanner to look for flight options, to find the cheapest fare, and also discover dates that avoid a layover. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Sep. 2022 It’s the passing of the baton for the unlikely duo — a hard-nosed Brit and a sunny Texas girl — who have known each other since Cowell helped discover Clarkson as that first American Idol. Elizabeth Wagmeister, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 After all, there are so many kinds and regional variations that even those of us who were born in Vietnamese households often discover new ones throughout our lives. Dan Q. Dao, Chron, 6 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French descoverir, descovrir, from Late Latin discooperire, from Latin dis- + cooperire to cover — more at cover
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing discover
Kids Definition
discover
verb
dis·cov·er di-ˈskə-vər
discovered; discovering
: to find out, see, or learn of especially for the first time : find
Scientists have discovered a new species.
She discovered a hole in her shirt.
Legal Definition
discover
transitive verb
dis·cov·er
1
: to find out about, recognize, or realize for the first time
when the victim discovers the fraud
see also discovery rule 2
a
: to make the subject of discovery
b
: to learn of or obtain (information) through discovery
discovered 1 of 2
adjective
as in identified
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- identified
- detected
- traveled
- crowded
- swarming
- busy
- teeming
- bustling
- travelled
- trodden
- thronging
- trod
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- undiscovered
- unexplored
- untrodden
- pristine
- trackless
- virgin
- pathless
- unspoiled
- untraveled
- untraversed
- untrod
discovered
2 of 2verb
1
as in realized
to come to an awareness of I was startled to discover that my keys were missing Synonyms & Similar Words
- realized
- learned
- found
- heard
- saw
- ascertained
- found out
- detected
- spotted
- encountered
- espied
- caught on (to)
- got on (to)
- got wind of
- figured out
- descried
- discerned
- noted
- perceived
- wised (up)
- observed
- divined
- calculated
- tumbled (to)
- hit (on or upon)
- doped (out)
- puzzled (out)
- minded
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- missed
- overlooked
- ignored
- disregarded
- forgot
- hid
- covered
- concealed
- screened
- masked
- blanketed
- shrouded
- veiled
- cloaked
- blotted out
- unlearned
- enshrouded
- occulted
- curtained
2
as in found
to come upon after searching, study, or effort we hope to discover the real reason for his odd behavior Synonyms & Similar Words
- found
- learned
- located
- got
- ascertained
- detected
- determined
- dug up
- rummaged
- dug out
- found out
- descried
- spotted
- ran down
- turned up
- scared up
- nosed out
- espied
- sighted
- sought
- tracked (down)
- hit (on or upon)
- hunted (down or up)
- scouted (up)
- dredged (up)
- rooted (out)
- ferreted (out)
- routed (out)
- looked for
- searched (for or out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- missed
- overlooked
- lost
- passed over
- mislaid
- misplaced
- misset
- mis-set
3
as in revealed
to make known (as information previously kept secret) discovered to his friend how people whom he had trusted had betrayed him Synonyms & Similar Words
- revealed
- disclosed
- uncovered
- told
- exposed
- announced
- shared
- divulged
- unveiled
- spilled
- unmasked
- bared
- confided
- published
- proclaimed
- spilt
- brought to light
- unearthed
- declared
- acknowledged
- confessed
- uncloaked
- informed
- advertised
- unbosomed
- promulgated
- posted
- spilled the beans (about)
- admitted
- went public (with)
- debunked
- publicized
- let the cat out of the bag (about)
- betrayed
- owned
- related
- let on (about)
- brought out
- talked
- leaked
- communicated
- imparted
- blabbed
- unclothed
- showed up
- conceded
- blazed
- sounded
- undraped
- broadcast
- broadcasted
- disinterred
- squealed
- avowed
- gave away
- placarded
- smoked out
- raked up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- concealed
- hid
- covered (up)
- masked
- disguised
- veiled
- shrouded
- cloaked
- camouflaged
- enshrouded
- obscured
- whitewashed
- overshadowed
- eclipsed
- glossed (over)
- varnished
- gilded
- shaded
- darkened
- gilt
- clouded
- overcast
- beclouded
- bedimmed
- befogged