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

It urged the finder to back a horse with an associated name.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

Today, the company’s products, including an AI-driven app and range finder, act as a virtual caddie, one that recommends the club you should use and the optimal landing area for each shot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Retailers will have to sign up to the planned fuel finder scheme and report price changes within 30 minutes of them being implemented.

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

We have no radio directional finder, just the compass.

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos