finder

American  

[fahyn-der] / ˈfaɪn dər /

noun

finders plural

1. a person or thing that finds.

2. Photography.

   1. a range finder.

   2. Also called viewfinder.  a camera part or attachment enabling a photographer to determine what will be included in the picture.

3. Astronomy. a small, wide-angled telescope attached to a larger one for locating objects to be studied.

4. a person or firm that acts as agent in initiating a business transaction.

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finder British  

/ ˈfaɪndə /

noun

1. a person or thing that finds

2. physics a small low-power wide-angle telescope fitted to a more powerful larger telescope, used to locate celestial objects to be studied by the larger instrument

3. photog short for viewfinder

4. informal whoever finds something has the right to keep it

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• finders
  plural

Etymology

Origin of finder

First recorded in 1250–1300, finder is from the Middle English word findere. See find, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Apple's character, a blue and white figure with an outsized head, has become unofficially known as Little Finder Guy.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

He resembles the Finder icon on Apple computers, but with a tiny stature and goofy mannerisms.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

“What was needed of the Fact Finder was a dive into the financial analysis of both parties to determine what portion of the budget could be allocated to these needs,” wrote the union’s Brian McNamara.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

“He was very funny,” said first-year Vanessa Finder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

Dad took up a worn and age-yellowed envelope addressed in a bold hand: To the Finder Inside was the following brief message: To the Finder:— The mother of this child, Donald Mullen, is dead.

From The Black Wolf Pack by Beard, Daniel Carter