discover
/dɪˈskʌvə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈskʌvər/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈskə-vər/ (ame, mw)
discover — verb
- discoverpresent simple I / you / we / they
- discovershe / she / it
- discoveredpast simple
- discovering-ing form
1. to learn about something or find something that was not known, seen, or understo
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.
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
A rare Roman coin was discovered by a child digging in the garden.
The team hopes to discover evidence of ancient life on Mars within their lifetime.
Hui discovered a dusty violin case at the back of her grandmother's wardrobe.
- 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
文法句型
discover + noun phrase
discover + that-clause
discover + wh- clause
常見錯誤
2. to notice a person's natural ability or talent and help them develop it so they
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.
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]
Coach Williams discovered Takeshi's gift for swimming when he was only six years old.
Many talented singers are now discovered through short videos posted on social media.
文法句型
discover + person + [verb]-ing
be discovered + as/by [agent]
用法筆記
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
to make something hidden or secret become known — used when an investigation, research, or examination reveals facts that were deliberately concealed or not visible.
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]
When the old ceiling was removed, workers discovered a beautiful painting hidden above it.
The journalist's investigation discovered that the factory had been dumping waste illegally for years.
文法句型
discover + noun phrase (hidden fact / secret)
discover + that-clause
用法筆記
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.