discovering

3 definitions • 7 examples

present participle of

to find information, a place, or an object, especially for the first time:

Who discovered America?

We searched all morning for the missing papers and finally discovered them in a drawer.

discover how [ + question word ] Scientists have discovered how to predict an earthquake.

[ + (that) ] She discovered (that) her husband was having an affair.

[ + to infinitive ] Following a routine check-up, Mrs Mason was discovered to have heart disease.

[ + obj + -ing verb ] The boss discovered him stealing money from the cash register.

to notice that a person has a special ability or quality and to help them to become successful:

Los Angeles is full of young actors working as waiters, hoping to be discovered by a movie agent.