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Synonyms

find

American  
[fahynd] / faɪnd /

verb (used with object)

found, finding
  1. to come upon by chance; meet with.

    He found a nickel in the street.

  2. to locate, attain, or obtain by search or effort.

    to find an apartment; to find happiness.

    Synonyms:
    acquire, earn, win, achieve
  3. to locate or recover (something lost or misplaced).

    I can't find my blue socks.

  4. to discover or perceive after consideration.

    to find something to be true.

  5. to gain or regain the use of.

    His anger finally helped him find his tongue.

  6. to ascertain by study or calculation.

    to find the sum of several numbers.

  7. to feel or perceive.

    He finds it so.

  8. to become aware of, or discover (oneself ), as being in a condition or location.

    After a long illness, he found himself well again. She woke to find herself at home.

  9. to discover.

    Columbus found America in 1492.

  10. Law.

    1. to determine after judicial inquiry.

      to find a person guilty.

    2. to pronounce as an official act (an indictment, verdict, or judgment).

  11. to provide or furnish.

    Bring blankets and we'll find the rest of the equipment for the trip.

  12. South Midland and Southern U.S. (of farm animals) to give birth to.

    The brown cow found a calf yesterday.


verb (used without object)

found, finding
  1. to determine an issue after judicial inquiry.

    The jury found for the plaintiff.

  2. British Hunting. to come upon game.

noun

  1. an act of finding or discovering.

  2. something found; a discovery, especially a valuable or gratifying one.

    Our cook was a find.

  3. Hunting. a discovery of game, especially foxes.

verb phrase

  1. find out

    1. to discover or confirm the truth of (something).

    2. to detect or expose, as a crime or offense.

    3. to uncover the true nature, identity, or intentions of (someone).

      They found him out before he could launch the rebellion.

idioms

  1. find fault. fault.

  2. find oneself, to discover where one's real interests or talents lie, and follow them.

    After trying many occupations, he finally found himself and became an account executive.

find British  
/ faɪnd /

verb

  1. to meet with or discover by chance

  2. to discover or obtain, esp by search or effort

    to find happiness

  3. (may take a clause as object) to become aware of; realize

    he found that nobody knew

  4. (may take a clause as object) to regard as being; consider

    I find this wine a little sour

  5. to look for and point out (something to be criticized)

    to find fault

  6. (also intr) law to determine an issue after judicial inquiry and pronounce a verdict (upon)

    the court found the accused guilty

  7. to regain (something lost or not functioning)

    to find one's tongue

  8. to reach (a target)

    the bullet found its mark

  9. to provide, esp with difficulty

    we'll find room for you too

  10. to be able to pay

    I can't find that amount of money

  11. to realize and accept one's real character; discover one's true vocation

  12. to become capable or confident, as in a new job

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a person, thing, etc, that is found, esp a valuable or fortunate discovery

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
find More Idioms  

    More idioms and phrases containing find

    • hard way (find out the)

Other Word Forms

  • findable adjective
  • refind verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of find

First recorded before 900; Middle English finden, Old English findan; cognate with German finden, Dutch vinden, Old Norse finna, Gothic finthan

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Steve, I think it’s more like we both had this rich neighbor named Xerox and I broke into his house to steal the TV set and found out that you had already stolen it.

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Most of those AI capabilities exist in the digital world, and many companies are trying to find more ways to bring AI into physical workspaces, whether it is washing dishes, delivering packages or building products.

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But for the 700 affiliates carrying CBS News Radio, the concerns are more practical as they are faced with finding new national programming that will replace it.

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With networks and streamers seeking to create compelling content, many have found the answer in true stories.

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We had shot a lot of footage and moments of these women’s lives, and finding the right way to weave them together wasn’t really clear.

From Los Angeles Times