Definition of INVESTIGATE

investigate

Meanings

Verb

  • investigate scientifically
    • "Let's investigate the syntax of Chinese"
  • conduct an inquiry or investigation of
    • "The district attorney's office investigated reports of possible irregularities"
  • To inquire into or study in order to ascertain facts or information.
  • To examine, look into, or scrutinize in order to discover something hidden or secret.
  • To conduct an inquiry or examination.

Origin / Etymology

Recorded since circa 1510, a back-formation from investigation on the basis of -ate (verb-forming suffix), from Latin investīgātiō (“a searching into”), from investīgātus, the perfect passive participle of investīgō, equivalent to in- + vestigate. Displaced native Old English undersēċan (literally “to search under or between”).

Synonyms

enquire, inquire, look into, underseek

Scrabble Score: 15

investigate is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
investigate is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
investigate is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 18

investigate is a valid Words With Friends word