Investigate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ต๏ธ
investigate
[ษชnหvษstษชหษกeษชt ]
Definitions
research
To carry out a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of a situation or phenomenon.
Synonyms
analyze, examine, explore, inspect, probe.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| investigate |
Used when trying to uncover facts or information, especially in legal, criminal, or scientific contexts.
|
| examine |
Used when looking at something carefully to understand or to find something out, often in medical, academic, or quality control contexts.
|
| explore |
Used when looking into something thoroughly to learn more about it, often in the context of discovering new ideas or places.
|
| probe |
Used when investigating something deeply and thoroughly, often suggesting a more intensive or invasive examination, frequently in detective or scientific contexts.
|
| inspect |
Used when looking closely at something for faults or quality, often in contexts of safety, compliance, or quality control checks.
|
| analyze |
Used when breaking down information into parts to understand it better, often in academic, scientific, or data-oriented contexts.
|
Examples of usage
- I need to investigate the cause of the problem.
- The detective will investigate the crime scene thoroughly.
- She decided to investigate further before making a decision.
- We must investigate all possible leads to solve this mystery.
- The committee will investigate the allegations of corruption.
police work
To search for and gather evidence to establish the truth about a crime or wrongdoing.
Synonyms
delve into, look into, pursue, scrutinize, track.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| investigate |
Use in formal situations, especially when referring to police or scientific work. It implies thorough examination and analysis.
|
| scrutinize |
Typically used in formal or serious contexts. It means to examine very closely and critically, often implying skepticism.
|
| pursue |
Often used when talking about goals or careers, indicating a continuous effort towards achieving something.
|
| track |
Commonly used when following the progress or movements of something or someone over time. It has technical or casual uses.
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| delve into |
Best used in more informal or creative contexts. It suggests a deep and detailed exploration of a subject.
|
| look into |
Suitable for informal or everyday situations. It means to examine or check something briefly or superficially.
|
Examples of usage
- The police will investigate the robbery that took place last night.
- They are investigating the disappearance of a valuable artifact from the museum.
- The authorities are investigating the financial irregularities in the company.
- The detective agency was hired to investigate the suspicious activities of the employee.
- We need to investigate the source of these threatening messages.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Pop Culture
- Detective stories, from Sherlock Holmes to modern crime dramas, often revolve around the art of investigation.
- TV shows like 'CSI' and 'Law & Order' have popularized the term, making it synonymous with crime-solving.
Science
- In scientific research, to investigate can mean conducting experiments to find new truths about nature.
- Methodical investigation helps in validating theories, leading to advancements in various fields.
Psychology
- Investigative techniques are crucial in psychology for understanding human behavior and conditions.
- Clinicians often investigate symptoms to diagnose mental health issues accurately.
Education
- In schools, students are encouraged to investigate topics through research projects, promoting critical thinking.
- Inquiry-based learning focuses on encouraging students to explore questions, leading to deeper comprehension.
Origin of 'investigate'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from Latin 'investigare' which means 'to track' or 'to search.'
- Originally, it referred to being on the trail of something to uncover hidden information.
The word 'investigate' originated from the Latin word 'investigatus', which means 'to track, trace, or investigate'. The term has been used since the 16th century in English, initially in the context of legal inquiries and scientific research. Over time, 'investigate' has become a common term in various fields, including law enforcement, journalism, and academic research, symbolizing the process of thorough examination and inquiry to uncover the truth.