finder
Americannoun
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finders
plural
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a person or thing that finds.
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Photography.
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a range finder.
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Also called viewfinder. a camera part or attachment enabling a photographer to determine what will be included in the picture.
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Astronomy. a small, wide-angled telescope attached to a larger one for locating objects to be studied.
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a person or firm that acts as agent in initiating a business transaction.
noun
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a person or thing that finds
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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
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photog short for viewfinder
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informal whoever finds something has the right to keep it
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of finder
First recorded in 1250–1300, finder is from the Middle English word findere. See find, -er 1
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.
See Examples For:
Introducing a finder tag, an upgraded watch that checks for respiratory problems and the latest artificial intelligence superpowers in smartphones, Google on Wednesday will unveil its newest Pixel offerings.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
The finder must also provide an affidavit stating when and where the property was found and describing it in detail.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026
"We sincerely hope the new fuel finder scheme, combined with ongoing scrutiny from the CMA, finally leads to increased competition and lower forecourt prices for drivers right across the country."
From BBC ● Dec. 22, 2025
Start with the plan finder tool at Medicare.gov, which should list everything available in your area.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2025
The finder was a boy called Augustus Gloop, and Mr. Bucket’s evening newspaper carried a large picture of him on the front page.
From "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl
The goldmining museum, which contains a collection of artifacts dating back to the 1874 Black Hills Gold Rush, offers panning lessons and the chance to prospect on its land, finders keepers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2025
“They gave it to us, as, I guess you call it a finders keepers thing,” Kane said.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 4, 2024
Ski tourers typically follow unprepared alpine routes, and should be equipped with location finders and avalanche shovels.
From BBC ● Mar. 10, 2024
Some cheered him on in his bid for freedom; others were simply impressed he had managed to elude his finders for so long.
From New York Times ● Feb. 1, 2024
And the five lucky finders of these five Golden Tickets are the only ones who will be allowed to visit my factory and see what it’s like now inside!
From "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
