discover

The word “discover” means to find or learn something for the first time. In plain terms, to find something new, or to become aware of a fact for the first time.

“Discover” is pronounced dih-SKUH-vuh (/dɪˈskʌvɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “discover” used in a sentence: “Scientists discovered a new species of frog deep in the rainforest.”

Words with a similar meaning to “discover” include catch, check, come upon, detect, determine and disinter.

The opposite of “discover” — its antonyms — are conceal, cover, cover up, hide and miss.

“Discover” is a verb.

The word “discover” comes from Latin. From Old French descovrir, "to uncover," from Latin dis- plus cooperire ("to cover completely") — literally, to remove a covering.

“Discover” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

You discover something that already existed but was unknown, such as a planet, a species, or a fact. You invent something that did not exist before, such as a machine or a process, so scientists discovered electricity's properties but inventors created the light bulb.

Find is the general word for coming across something, whether or not it is new, as in finding your keys. Discover implies finding or learning something for the first time, often something significant or previously unknown, which is why explorers and researchers discover rather than merely find.

Yes, discover commonly means to become aware of a fact, as in she discovered that the door had been left unlocked. In this sense it is close to realize or find out, rather than physically locating something.

Explore means to travel through or examine a place or subject in order to learn about it, and it describes the ongoing process. Discover refers to the moment of actually finding or learning something new, so explorers explore a region and may discover a river within it.