English Explanatory Dictionary

ascertain

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To find out definitely; to discover or establish.
  2. To make (someone) certain or confident about something; to inform.
  3. To look for something lost.
  4. To establish, to prove.
  5. To ensure or effect.

Pronunciation

/ˌæsəˈteɪn/ ăs'-ər-tānʹ /ˌæsɚˈteɪn/ en-us-ascertain.ogg /ˌæsəˈtæɪn/

Word forms

ascertain ascertains ascertaining ascertained

Etymology

From Middle English acerteynen, from Old French acertener, from a- (“to, towards”) + certener (“make sure of”), from the adjective certain, from Latin certus (“certain, fixed”). Compare to Spanish acertar.

Synonyms

determine discover establish find out learn work out see discern assess

Derived words

ascertainable ascertainedly ascertainer ascertainment nonascertaining preascertain reascertain unascertained
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