ascertain
/ˌæsɚˈteɪn/ verb C2- To find out definitely; to discover or establish. · As soon as we ascertain what the situation is, we can plan how to proceed.
- To look for something lost.
He/she/it ascertains · Past ascertained · Past participle ascertained · -ing form ascertaining
Verb forms
- Base form
- ascertain
- He/she/it
- ascertains
- Past
- ascertained
- Past participle
- ascertained
- -ing form
- ascertaining
From the library
“Yes: these four evenings have enabled them to ascertain that they both like Vingt-un better than Commerce, but with respect to any other leading characteristic, I do not imagine that much has been unfolded.”
She wanted to ascertain the feelings of each of her visitors, she wanted to compose her own, and to make herself agreeable to all; and in the latter object, where she feared most to fail, she was most sure of success, for those to whom she endeavoured to give pleasure were pre-possessed in her favour.
It is true that I had thrown a light upon the fate of Brunton, but now I had to ascertain how that fate had come upon him, and what part had been played in the matter by the woman who had disappeared.
“But, so far as you can ascertain, he did not take it?”
Learn ascertain in real texts
With a free account, hover any word in the library for its meaning, hear it read aloud, save words for review timed to your memory, and see how much of each book you already know.