discover
gb/dɪskˈʌvɚ/ us/dɪskˈʌvɚ/
A2
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Find something new
To find something that you did not know about before.
Usage pattern:
to discover [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'discover' with 'invent'. 'Discover' means to find something that already exists; 'invent' means to create something new.
Synonyms
find (More general; can mean to locate something physically or by chance, not necessarily something new or unknown.)
|
detect (Often used for noticing something hidden, especially through careful observation or equipment.)
Antonyms
overlook (To fail to notice something that is there.)
Collocations
discover a secret
|discover a fact
|discover a new species
|discover a problem
Themes
science
|exploration
|learning
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Scientists have discovered a new planet outside our solar system.
- She discovered a hidden room behind the bookshelf.
- I discovered an old letter in my grandmother’s attic.
- They discovered a mistake in the report.
Learner examples
- I discovered a small shop near my house.
- He discovered a new game online.
- We discovered a nice park yesterday.
- She discovered a photo of her parents.
Verb
A2
action
2
Learn new information
To learn something you did not know before.
Usage pattern:
to discover (that) [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'find' instead of 'discover' when referring to learning information. 'Find' often refers to physical objects.
Synonyms
learn (General term for gaining knowledge; not limited to surprising or hidden facts.)
|
realize (Emphasizes sudden awareness or understanding.)
Antonyms
ignore (To choose not to know or pay attention to information.)
Collocations
discover the truth
|discover that [clause]
|discover how
Themes
learning
|daily life
|education
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I just discovered that my favorite café has closed.
- She discovered how to fix the machine by watching a video.
- We discovered that we had been charged twice.
Learner examples
- I discovered that he speaks Spanish.
- She discovered how to make bread.
- We discovered we were lost.
Verb
B1
action
3
Find someone's talent
To see that someone has special skill or talent.
Usage pattern:
to discover [someone] as [a role]
Synonyms
spot (Informal; to notice quickly and accurately.)
|
recognize (To acknowledge someone's ability or status; more formal in this context.)
Antonyms
overlook (To fail to notice someone's ability.)
Collocations
discover a young artist
|discover new talent
Themes
arts
|sports
|work
|business
|relationships
Examples
- The producer discovered the singer at a local bar.
- She was discovered by a fashion scout while shopping.
- He discovered several promising players during the tournament.
Learner examples
- The coach discovered a good player in the school team.
- A movie director discovered her in a small play.
- They discovered a new actor for the film.
Grammar
Dictionary form
discover
IPA
GB/dɪskˈʌvɚ/
US/dɪskˈʌvɚ/
Syllables & stress
dis - cov - er (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cov)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: discover
- 3rd Person Singular: discovers
- Present Participle: discovering
- Past: discovered
Word family
Forms
discovers
verb
discovering
verb
discovered
verb
Core family
discovery
noun B1
Related words
discoverer
noun
rediscover
verb B2
Negative and opposite forms
undiscovered
adjective
Advanced or less common
discoverable
adjective
Expressions
discover for yourself
1/dɪskˈʌvɚ fɚ jʊɹsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Learn on your own
To find out something by your own effort or experience, not by being told.
Examples
- You have to discover for yourself how difficult it is.
- Travel is the best way to discover for yourself how others live.
discover the truth
1/dɪskˈʌvɚ ðə tɹˈuθ/
fixed phrase
Learn what is true
To find out what is really true about something.
Examples
- The police worked hard to discover the truth about the case.
- She finally discovered the truth about her family history.