Definition of 'ascertain'
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]
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Video: pronunciation of 'ascertain'
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
adjective
ascertainably (ˌascerˈtainably)
adverb
ascertainment (ˌascerˈtainment)
noun
Word origin of 'ascertain'
SIMILAR WORDS: learn
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
adjective
ascertainment (ˌascerˈtainment)
noun
Example sentences containing 'ascertain'
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.
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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. 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. 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
Nearby words of 'ascertain'
Source
Definition of ascertain from the
Collins English Dictionary
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