Definition of 'ascertain'

Word Frequency

ascertain

(æsəʳteɪn )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense ascertains , present participle ascertaining , past tense, past participle ascertained

verb

If you ascertain the truth about something, you find out what it is, especially by making a deliberate effort to do so.

[formal]

It is always vital to ascertain the cause of a continual headache. [VERB noun]

Once they had ascertained that he was not a spy, they agreed to release him. [VERB that]

Take time to ascertain what services your bank is providing, and at what cost. [VERB wh]

Synonyms: find out, learn, discover, determine More Synonyms of ascertain

Video: pronunciation of 'ascertain'

Word Frequency

ascertain in British

(ˌæsəˈteɪn )

verb (transitive)

to determine or discover definitely

2. archaic

to make certain

Derived forms

ascertainable (ˌascerˈtainable)

adjective

ascertainably (ˌascerˈtainably)

adverb

ascertainment (ˌascerˈtainment)

noun

Word origin of 'ascertain'

C15: from Old French acertener to make certain

Word Frequency

ascertain in American

(ˌæsərˈteɪn ; asˌərtānˈ)

verb transitive

1. Archaic

to make certain or definite

to find out with certainty

SIMILAR WORDS: learn

Derived forms

ascertainable (ˌascerˈtainable)

adjective

ascertainment (ˌascerˈtainment)

noun

Word origin of 'ascertain'

ME acertainen < OFr acertainer < a-, to + certain, certain

Example sentences containing 'ascertain'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

There should be a public inquiry to ascertain the facts. The Sun (2016)It is merely to ascertain some facts. Times, Sunday Times (2008)It was a long shot but might be worth the effort, at least to ascertain the facts. Stewart, Bob (Lt-Col) Broken Lives (1993)A post mortem examination will be performed today to ascertain the cause of death. Times, Sunday Times (2011)If a teacher wants to ascertain whether in fact learning has taken place, she has to measure this change. Siann, Gerda & Ugwuegbu, Denis C. E. Educational Psychology in a Changing World (1988)You will need to ascertain exactly why an individual isn't performing well enough and then choose the correct procedure. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Considering all factors and facts to ascertain the economic reality here, the plaintiff constituted an employee of the church alone. Christianity Today (2000)Committee members were unable to ascertain exactly which pollutants had done what, but identified the mine as the source of the trouble. The Times Literary Supplement (2014)A post-mortem failed to ascertain cause of death. Times, Sunday Times (2010)I was an investigative journalist and set out to ascertain the facts about violence in South Africa. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Just by looking at this data... I can ascertain exactly what has happened on each pit stop. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Further afield, where planes are still incredibly loud, it is impossible to ascertain the extent to which properties will suffer from noise blight. Times, Sunday Times (2013)

Trends of 'ascertain'

In Common Usage. ascertain is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'ascertain'

British English: ascertain VERB

If you ascertain the truth about something, you find out what it is, especially by making a deliberate effort to do so.

An investigation has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.

American English: ascertain
Brazilian Portuguese: averiguar
Chinese: > 查明尤指经过努力
European Spanish: determinar
French: établir
German: feststellen
Italian: accertare
Japanese: 確かめる
Korean: 확인하다
European Portuguese: averiguar
Spanish: determinar

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Nearby words of 'ascertain'

Source

Definition of ascertain from the Collins English Dictionary

Indefinite pronouns

The indefinite pronouns are used when you do not know or do not need to say precisely who or what you are referring to. The noun phrase which they substitute for can refer to a person, a thing, or a ...