discover

discover — verb

1. to learn about something or find something that was not known, seen, or understo

1.verbtransitiveA2
Definition

to learn about something or find something that was not known, seen, or understood before — for example, finding a new species of animal, learning a surprising fact about a family member, or figuring out how a machine works when nobody else had done so.

Example

Researchers discovered a new type of bacteria in the volcanic hot springs of Iceland.

discover + new type of [noun] in [place]

Nikos discovered that his elderly neighbor had worked as a spy during the Cold War.

discover + that-clause

Common collocations
  • discover a new species
  • discover the truth
  • discover evidence
  • discover a cure
  • discover a secret
Synonyms
  • find

    more general; does not imply that the thing was unknown before

  • uncover

    implies finding something that was intentionally hidden or covered

  • come across

    suggests an accidental or unexpected finding; more informal

Antonyms
  • miss

    fail to find or notice something

  • overlook

    fail to notice something that is visible or available

Grammar Patterns

discover + noun phrase

discover + that-clause

discover + wh- clause

Common Mistakes

I discovered my phone under the sofa.
I found my phone under the sofa.
'Discover' is for finding something important or previously unknown, not for everyday lost items.

2. to notice a person's natural ability or talent and help them develop it so they

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to notice a person's natural ability or talent and help them develop it so they can become successful — especially in the performing arts, modelling, or sports.

Example

A Broadway producer discovered Adaeze singing in a small jazz club in Chicago.

discover + [person] + [verb]-ing

Iris was discovered by a modelling agency while shopping at a busy department store.

passive: be discovered by [agent]

Common collocations
  • discover talent
  • discover a singer
  • discovered by chance
  • discovered as a teenager
Synonyms
  • spot

    implies noticing someone's talent at a particular moment; less emphasis on helping them develop it

  • identify

    more formal; focuses on recognizing ability without the nurturing aspect

  • recruit

    focuses on getting someone to join an organization; no implication of first-time discovery

Grammar Patterns

discover + person + [verb]-ing

be discovered + as/by [agent]

Usage Note

The subject is typically someone who scouts or judges talent, such as a producer, agent, coach, or director. The discovered person is often followed by a gerund (-ing) or the phrase 'as...' to describe what they were doing when noticed.

3. to make something hidden or secret become known — used when an investigation, re

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to make something hidden or secret become known — used when an investigation, research, or examination reveals facts that were deliberately concealed or not visible.

Example

The audit discovered serious financial problems that the managers had tried to hide.

discover + hidden problems / inconsistencies

Layla's research discovered a link between the two ancient languages that scholars had missed.

discover + link / connection between [things]

Common collocations
  • discover evidence
  • discover irregularities
  • discover a link
  • discover fraud
  • discover a hidden room
Synonyms
  • reveal

    stronger emphasis on making something hidden visible; can be deliberate or unintentional

  • expose

    implies revealing something shameful, illegal, or scandalous

  • unearth

    vivid metaphor of digging up something hidden; often used for historical discoveries

Antonyms
  • conceal

    to keep something hidden or secret

  • hide

    to put something where it cannot be seen or found

Grammar Patterns

discover + noun phrase (hidden fact / secret)

discover + that-clause

Usage Note

This sense is more formal than sense 1. The subject is usually an investigation, audit, study, or physical process (like removing a wall or melting snow), not a person. It often implies that the truth or object existed before but was concealed.

Common Mistakes

Stephanie discovered the surprise party to her sister.
Stephanie revealed the surprise party to her sister.
'Discover' in this sense means uncovering hidden facts through investigation, not voluntarily sharing information.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

These four words overlap with 'discover' but differ in scope and connotation. 'Find' is the most general — you can find anything from your keys to a new planet, with no implication of importance or first-time knowledge. 'Uncover' suggests literally or figuratively removing something that was hiding the truth, like uncovering a conspiracy through investigation. 'Detect' implies careful observation or scientific methods, often for things that are very small or hard to notice, such as detecting traces of poison in a blood sample. 'Come across' is the most casual, always accidental — you come across an old friend at a market, but you don't come across a cure for cancer through systematic research. For example: Newton discovered the law of gravity after observing an apple fall (first-time insight). He found his glasses on the desk (everyday search). Investigators uncovered a network of bribery (hidden truth revealed). A lab test detected high levels of lead in the water (scientific measurement). She came across a photo album while cleaning the attic (accidental finding).

find ↗uncover ↗detect ↗come across ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • discover that
  • discover how to
  • discover what
  • discover the truth about
  • discover evidence of

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'discover' entered English through Old French 'descovrir', which came from Latin 'discooperire' — 'dis-' (the opposite of) combined with 'cooperire' (to cover up). So its original meaning was literally 'to uncover,' like taking a lid off something. By the 1500s, it had developed the more general sense of finding something for the first time.