discovery
gb/dɪskˈʌvɚi/ us/dɪskˈʌvɚi/
B1
English
~ 2500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
event
1
the act of finding something new
When you find or learn about something new for the first time.
Usage pattern:
the discovery of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'discovery' with 'invention'. An invention is creating something new, while a discovery is finding something that already exists but was unknown.
Synonyms
finding (A general term for something found, but may not imply novelty or significance.)
|
revelation (Often used for sudden or surprising discoveries, sometimes with emotional impact.)
Antonyms
loss (Refers to losing something rather than finding it.)
|
concealment (Refers to hiding something rather than revealing it.)
Collocations
scientific discovery
|make a discovery
|accidental discovery
|important discovery
|discovery process
Themes
science
|exploration
|learning
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The discovery of penicillin changed modern medicine.
- Her discovery of the hidden cave excited the whole team.
- This archaeological discovery could rewrite history.
- He made an important discovery about how the engine works.
Learner examples
- The discovery of fire was very important.
- We were happy about the discovery of a new park.
- They told us about the discovery of gold.
- The discovery of a new star made news.
Noun
B1
entity
2
a thing or fact found for first time
Something new that someone finds or learns about.
Usage pattern:
a discovery in [field/topic]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'discovery' instead of 'find' in casual conversation, which can sound too formal.
Synonyms
find (Informal and simple term for something found; less formal than 'discovery'.)
|
breakthrough (Usually refers to a major or important discovery, especially in science or technology.)
Antonyms
known fact (Something already known, not newly found.)
Collocations
amazing discovery
|recent discovery
|unexpected discovery
Themes
science
|learning
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The fossil was an exciting discovery for paleontologists.
- Their latest discovery could help cure the disease.
- That old letter was a surprising discovery in the attic.
Learner examples
- This book is a new discovery for me.
- The scientist shared her discovery with the world.
- We made a fun discovery at the beach.
Grammar
Dictionary form
discovery
IPA
GB/dɪskˈʌvɚi/
US/dɪskˈʌvɚi/
Syllables & stress
dis - cov - ery (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cov)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: discovery
- Plural: discoveries, discovery
Word family
Forms
discoveries
noun
Core family
discover
verb A2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
undiscovered
adjective
Advanced or less common
discoverable
adjective
Expressions
accidental discovery
1/ˌæksədˈɛntəl dɪskˈʌvɚi/
fixed phrase
finding made by accident
Something found by chance, not planned.
Examples
- The recipe was an accidental discovery during an experiment.
- Many great inventions started as accidental discoveries.
make a discovery
1/mˈeɪk ə dɪskˈʌvɚi/
fixed phrase
find something new
To find or learn something for the first time.
Examples
- Marie Curie made a discovery that changed science.
- We made a discovery while hiking in the mountains.
scientific discovery
1/sˌaɪəntˈɪfɪk dɪskˈʌvɚi/
fixed phrase
new finding in science
A new thing or fact found by scientists through research.
Examples
- The scientific discovery could lead to a new treatment.
- Many scientific discoveries happen by accident.