Added 9 October 2026
investigate
/ɪnˈvɛs.tə.ɡeɪt/ verb
In Latin: aspicio, investigo, indago Wiktionary
verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about investigate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Investigate scientifically.
Let's investigate the syntax of Chinese
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Conduct an inquiry or investigation of.
The district attorney's office investigated reports of possible irregularities
Origin
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”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)