Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

investigation

/ɪnˌvɛs.tɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.75 in modern English

Syllables: in-ves-ti-ga-tion
IPA: /ɪnˌvɛs.tɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/

17

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

5

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The act of investigating; the process of inquiring into or following up; research, especially patient or thorough inquiry or examination

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"The investigation into the crime has led to various leads as well as plenty of dead ends."
"Despite thorough investigation, the perpetrator of the attacks remains unknown."
"carry out an investigation"
"the matter is awaiting investigation"
"The case is still under investigation."
"Railway police are making a full investigation into the matter, and the headmasters of schools have been approached, but it is difficult in such cases to discover the culprits, unless they are caught red-handed."

Etymology

From Middle English investigacioun, from Old French investigacion, from Latin investigatio. Morphologically investigate + -ion.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: investigacioun, investigacion, investigatio
Suffix: investigate

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ɪnˌvɛs.tɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/
British English: /ɪnˌvɛs.tɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/

Usage

Inflected Forms

investigations (plural)

Derived Forms

coinvestigation counterinvestigation cyberinvestigation investigational preinvestigation reinvestigation transvestigation

Phrases

background investigation field investigation joint investigation team patient under investigation re-investigation

Frequently Paired Words

investigate sleuthing

Synonyms

investigating probe

Rhymes With

information education situation population station association administration operation organization nation location application

Questions

How do you pronounce investigation?: The recorded pronunciation is /ɪnˌvɛs.tɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/.
What does investigation mean?: The act of investigating; the process of inquiring into or following up; research, especially patient or thorough inquiry or examination
Where does investigation come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce investigation

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “investigation”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ɪnˌvɛs.tɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “investigation”.
Repeat and practice — Say “investigation” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.