ascertain

/ˌˈæsərˌteɪn/

/æsəˈteɪn/

Other forms: ascertained; ascertaining; ascertains

Ascertain is a verb that means to find out something. You might have to go to the bank to ascertain if there is any money in your account.

This is a formal word that often applies to discovering the facts or truth about something through examination or experimentation. Information that is ascertained is certain beyond a doubt. If you want a less formal synonym, use discover.

Definitions of ascertain

1. verb

   learn or discover with certainty
   types:

   price

   ascertain or learn the price of

   type of:

   discover, find out, get a line, get wind, get word, hear, learn, pick up, see

   get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally
2. verb

   establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
   synonyms: determine, find, find out

   check, determine, find out, learn, see, watch

   find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort

   discover, find

   make a discovery, make a new finding

   types:

   gauge

   determine the capacity, volume, or contents of by measurement and calculation

   translate

   determine the amino-acid sequence of a protein during its synthesis by using information on the messenger RNA

   rectify

   math: determine the length of

   redetermine

   fix, find, or establish again

   sequence

   determine the order of constituents in

   refract

   determine the refracting power of (a lens)

   count, enumerate, number, numerate

   determine the number or amount of

   admeasure

   determine the quantity of someone's share

   locate, situate

   determine or indicate the place, site, or limits of, as if by an instrument or by a survey

   recount

   count again

   miscount

   count wrongly

   census

   conduct a census

   add, add together, add up, sum, sum up, summate, tally, tot, tot up, total, tote up

   determine the sum of

   acquire

   locate (a moving entity) by means of a tracking system such as radar

   radiolocate

   locate by means of radar

   map

   locate within a specific region of a chromosome in relation to known DNA or gene sequences

   localise, localize, place

   identify the location or place of

   base

   situate as a center of operations
3. verb

   find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
   synonyms: check, determine, find out, learn, see, watch

   assure, check, control, ensure, insure, see, see to it

   be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

   determine, find, find out

   establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study

   types:

   test

   determine the presence or properties of (a substance)
4. verb

   be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
   synonyms: assure, check, control, ensure, insure, see, see to it

   check, check off, mark, mark off, tick, tick off

   put a check mark on or near or next to

   check

   verify by consulting a source or authority

   check, determine, find out, learn, see, watch

   find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort

   control, verify

   check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard

   types:

   proof, proofread

   read for errors

   control

   verify by using a duplicate register for comparison

   double-check

   check once more to be absolutely sure

   cross-check

   check out conflicting sources; crosscheck facts, for example

   cinch

   make sure of

   card

   ask someone for identification to determine whether he or she is old enough to consume liquor

   spot-check

   pick out random samples for examination in order to ensure high quality

   cover

   maintain a check on; especially by patrolling

   type of:

   verify

   confirm the truth of