What does investigate mean?
Investigate means to examine a subject carefully and systematically, usually with the aim of discovering facts, identifying the cause of an event, or determining whether misconduct occurred. It is used for investigations by police, researchers, journalists, inspectors, committees, and private individuals. For example, authorities may investigate a crime, regulators may investigate a company, or scientists may investigate a question about the natural world. Although the word can imply a broad inquiry, it often carries a more purposeful and evidence-focused tone than examine. Its use with crimes, accidents, scandals, and complaints makes it particularly associated with uncovering what happened and why. In everyday conversation, it can also mean to look more closely into a practical problem, as in investigating a slow computer connection. The related noun investigation names the process or inquiry, while an investigator is the person conducting it.
verbTo examine a matter carefully and systematically in order to discover facts, establish the cause of something, or reach a conclusion. It is especially used for investigating crimes, accidents, misconduct, and unexplained events.
- To examine a matter carefully and systematically in order to discover facts, determine what happened, establish causes, or reach a conclusion.
- To investigate an alleged crime, misconduct, accident, or other incident, especially through official or formal inquiries.
"The committee was appointed to investigate the causes of the financial crisis."
"Detectives are investigating the cause of the fire."
"Researchers investigated whether the new treatment reduced symptoms."
To investigate is to follow a question wherever the evidence leads—often into the shadows.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does investigate come from?
Investigate entered English in the early 17th century from Latin investigare, formed from in- meaning “in” or “into” and vestigare, meaning “to trace” or “search for traces.” The Latin verb originally referred to tracking or searching for evidence. Over time, its meaning developed into a systematic inquiry into facts, causes, or circumstances, the sense retained today. The related forms investigation, investigator, and investigative developed through the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How investigate is actually used
Investigate is common in formal, journalistic, legal, and academic contexts. It can suggest an inquiry into causes or wrongdoing, while the more neutral examine may be preferable when only a straightforward inspection is intended.
Easily confused with investigate
Investigate usually means to examine a specific matter, problem, or incident, whereas research more broadly denotes systematic study intended to develop knowledge or produce findings.
Examine can mean simply to inspect or scrutinize something, while investigate often implies looking into causes, circumstances, or possible wrongdoing.