find out
Britishverb
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to gain knowledge of (something); learn
he found out what he wanted
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to detect the crime, deception, etc, of (someone)
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Discover through examination or inquiry, as in You can find out his phone number by looking in the book . [Mid-1500]
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Expose, detect the true nature or character of, especially in an offense. For example, Cheaters risk being found out . [c. 1700]
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.
Unless you ask a question, you’ll never find out about someone’s background.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026
"Eight decades on, after the end of the World War, you can still find out truth that you haven't known before," he said.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
Police and prosecutors raided the headquarters of the National Office of Electoral Processes in an effort to find out who was to blame.
From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026
Their interests lie in both the now and the then, stretching eons into the past to track where we’ve come from to find out where we’re going next.
From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026
"Well, check with him. He's been wondering where his chicken livers have been going. I don't think he'll be too happy to find out you're using them to play mad scientist."
From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville
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.
