find

[ fahynd ]

verb (used with object)

, found, find·ing.

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, find·ing.

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. 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.

find

/ 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. find oneself
    to realize and accept one's real character; discover one's true vocation
12. find one's feet
    to become capable or confident, as in a new job

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˈfindable, adjective

Other Words From

• finda·ble adjective
• re·find verb (used with object) refound refinding

Word History and Origins

Origin of find¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of find¹

Old English findan ; related to Old Norse finna , Gothic finthan , Old High German fintan to find

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. 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.

2. find fault. fault ( def 16 ).

More idioms and phrases containing find

• hard way (find out the)

Example Sentences

The new find suggests that at least some signals that look like short GRBs are in fact magnetar flares.

From Science News For Students

The Daily Telegraph and Illustrated London News also covered his finds enthusiastically.

From Popular-Science

He takes his Instagram followers along for the ride, feeding them a steady stream of photos of his finds, along with an occasional look at how he returned them to their former glory.

From Washington Post

A round stone excavated at Israel’s Tabun Cave in the 1960s represents the oldest known grinding or rubbing tool, say researchers who scrutinized the 350,000-year-old find.

From Science News

More recently, Google introduced Product Shipping rich results in response to increased online shopping, and Home Activities to help individuals in lockdown find exercises and activities to do at home.

From Search Engine Land

We won't find out this season, though it comes up occasionally.

From The Daily Beast

In the end, I find it never fails to modernize even the most dramatic things.

From The Daily Beast

What criticisms of last season did you find helpful, and not so helpful?

From The Daily Beast

But as you get older, I find I get more tunes and I have to work harder at the words.

From The Daily Beast

I still do find it a tremendously useful device to invent a character and have the character sing the song.

From The Daily Beast

I find myself chained to the foot of a woman, my noble Cornelia would despise!

From Project Gutenberg

The sailors sometimes use it to fry their meat, for want of butter, and find it agreeable enough.

From Project Gutenberg

Your sacrifice shall be the agony of agonies, the death of deaths, and yet you'll find yourself unable to resist.

From Project Gutenberg

But you will find most colleges and most college societies bar religious instruction and discussion.

From Project Gutenberg

But one thing remained for Felipe now, If Ramona lived, he would find her, and restore to her this her rightful property.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• treasure trove