investigative
gb/ɪnvˈɛstəɡˌeɪtɪv/ us/ɪnvˈɛstəɡˌeɪtɪv/
C1
English
~ 7100
oknyomozó, tényfeltáró, kíváncsi, kutakodó, kutató szellemű
C1
1
oknyomozó
C1
tényfeltáró
C1
Usage pattern:
investigative [work/reporting/journalism/team/powers]
The newspaper launched an investigative series on government corruption.
Az újság oknyomozó cikksorozatot indított a kormányzati korrupcióról.
She won an award for her investigative reporting on human trafficking.
Díjat nyert az emberkereskedelemről szóló oknyomozó riportjaiért.
An investigative team has been assigned to review the company’s financial records.
The documentary is based on months of investigative research by independent journalists.
He specializes in investigative work, focusing on unsolved criminal cases.
Learner examples
I enjoy reading investigative articles about politics.
Szeretek oknyomozó cikkeket olvasni a politikáról.
The TV station has a new investigative program about crime.
A tévécsatornának új, bűnözéssel foglalkozó oknyomozó műsora van.
Her investigative report showed that the company lied about its product.
The police created an investigative unit to study the fire.
Good investigative journalism can help stop corruption.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"He is investigative the crime"* or *"She investigative the problem"* using **investigative** like a verb. Use the verb **investigate** for actions ("She is investigating the problem") and **investigative** before a noun ("investigative report", "investigative team"). Learners may also confuse **investigative** with **investigatory**; both are possible, but **investigative** is more common in everyday English, especially with *journalism* and *reporting*.
Meaning
relating to detailed fact‑finding work
Collocations
investigative journalism
|investigative reporting
|investigative reporter
|investigative unit
|investigative work
|investigative powers
Synonyms
in-depth (emphasizes great detail or thoroughness, but does not itself suggest uncovering wrongdoing the way “investigative” often does.)
|
probing (suggests asking very searching questions; slightly more emotional and less tied to professional work than “investigative.”)
Antonyms
superficial (describes work that only touches the surface and does not look deeply into the facts, the opposite of investigative work.)
|
unquestioning (suggests accepting information without checking it, which contrasts with the critical checking implied by “investigative.”)
Themes
media
|law
|politics
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
describes work that looks very deeply into a problem to find hidden facts, often about crime or bad actions
Describes work, methods, or activities that involve careful, systematic inquiry to uncover hidden facts, especially about crime, corruption, or other serious problems.
C1
2
Usage pattern:
an investigative [mind/person/approach]
Her investigative mind quickly spotted the mistake in the data.
Kutató szellemű gondolkodása gyorsan kiszúrta a hibát az adatokban.
Teachers appreciate his investigative approach to science projects.
A tanárok értékelik a természettudományos projektekhez való kíváncsi, kutató hozzáállását.
The role requires someone with an investigative personality who enjoys solving complex problems.
From a young age, she showed an investigative nature, always asking how things worked.
His investigative questions helped the team find weaknesses in the plan.
Learner examples
She has a very investigative mind.
Nagyon kíváncsi és kutató szellemű.
His investigative questions made the manager uncomfortable.
Kutakodó kérdései zavarba hozták a vezetőt.
The job is good for people with an investigative nature.
My son is very investigative and always asks "why".
Scientists need an investigative way of thinking.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use **investigative** where **curious** or **interested** would sound more natural in everyday conversation. Use **investigative** when the questioning or curiosity is more analytical and systematic, not just casual interest.
Meaning
having a naturally questioning, probing mind
Collocations
an investigative mind
|highly investigative
|an investigative approach
|naturally investigative
|an investigative nature
Synonyms
inquisitive (very close in meaning; often about general curiosity, sometimes with a slightly negative feel if someone asks overly personal questions.)
|
curious (broader and more common; suggests wanting to know or learn, but not always the systematic, detailed searching implied by “investigative.”)
Antonyms
indifferent (describes someone who does not care to ask questions or look deeper, which contrasts with an investigative attitude.)
|
unquestioning (shows a lack of critical thinking or doubt, the opposite of an investigative mind that checks and tests information.)
Themes
personality
|thinking
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
describes a person who likes to ask many questions and look closely at facts to understand things
Describes a person or mind that is naturally inclined to ask questions, examine details, and look deeply into how or why things happen.
Grammar
Dictionary form
investigative
IPA
GB/ɪnvˈɛstəɡˌeɪtɪv/
US/ɪnvˈɛstəɡˌeɪtɪv/
Syllables & stress
in - vest - ig - at - ive (5 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (vest)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: investigative
Word family
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
uninvestigated
adjective
Advanced or less common
investigatory
adjective
reinvestigate
verb
reinvestigation
noun
Expressions
investigative journalism
1/ɪnvˈɛstəɡˌeɪtɪv d͡ʒˈɚnəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
journalism based on deep investigation
a type of news reporting where journalists spend a long time carefully studying documents, talking to many people, and checking facts to find hidden truth, often about crime or corruption
Examples
- The magazine is famous for its investigative journalism on corporate fraud.
- The corruption scandal came to light thanks to months of investigative journalism.
- Strong investigative journalism can reveal abuses of power and protect the public.
- He specializes in investigative journalism focused on human rights abuses.
- Strong investigative journalism is essential for keeping governments and big companies honest.
investigative reporter
1/ɪnvˈɛstəɡˌeɪtɪv ɹɪpˈɔɹtɚ/
fixed phrase
journalist who does investigations
a news reporter whose main job is to do long, careful investigations to find important information that is not easy to see, often about crime or bad actions
Examples
- The investigative reporter spent months researching the corruption case.
- She works as an investigative reporter for a national newspaper.
- He became famous as an investigative reporter after exposing corporate fraud.
- The investigative reporter spent a year uncovering the story behind the scandal.