found

¹ American  

[found] / faʊnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to set up or establish on a firm basis or for enduring existence.

   to found a new publishing company.

   Synonyms:

   originate, institute, inaugurate, organize

2. to lay the lowest part of (a structure) on a firm base or ground.

   a house founded on solid rock.

3. to base or ground (usually followed by on orupon ).

   a story founded on fact.

4. to provide a basis or ground for.

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found ² American  

[found] / faʊnd /

verb

1. simple past tense and past participle of find.

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adjective

1. equipped, outfitted, or furnished.

   He bought a new boat, fully found.

2. provided or furnished without additional charge, as to a tenant; included within the price, rent, etc. (often used postpositively).

   Room to let, laundry found.

noun

1. something that is provided or furnished without charge, especially meals given a domestic.

   Maid wanted, good salary and found.

found ³ American  

[found] / faʊnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to melt and pour (metal, glass, etc.) into a mold.

2. to form or make (an article) of molten material in a mold; cast.

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found ¹ British  

/ faʊnd /

verb

1. the past tense and past participle of find

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adjective

1. furnished, or fitted out

   the boat is well found

2. with meals, heating, bed linen, etc, provided without extra charge (esp in the phrase all found )

found ² British  

/ faʊnd /

verb

1. (tr) to bring into being, set up, or establish (something, such as an institution, society, etc)

2. (tr) to build or establish the foundation or basis of

3. (also intr; foll by on or upon) to have a basis (in); depend (on)

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found ³ British  

/ faʊnd /

verb

1. to cast (a material, such as metal or glass) by melting and pouring into a mould

2. to shape or make (articles) in this way; cast

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Etymology

Origin of found¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, founden, funden, fonden, from Old French fonder, from Latin fundāre “to lay a foundation,” derivative of fundus “bottom, foundation”

Origin of found²

First recorded before 900, for the adjective

Origin of found³

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English founden, funden “to mix ingredients (in cooking),” from Middle French fondre “to melt, smelt, cast,” from Latin fundere “to pour (liquid from a container), empty, melt, cast”

Explanation

To found something is like laying a "foundation" for a building — note the similarity? But instead of a building, you might found a business or a charity, where you establish the groundwork upon which it can grow. The verb found goes back to the Latin word fundus, meaning "bottom," which in turn led to fundāre, meaning "to lay the bottom of something." If you were to found a library, they might build a statue of you near the entrance. If you're having trouble finding the library, look for a statue with a familiar face.

Example Sentences

“Girl With Balloon on Found Landscape” sold for $18 million at a Manhattan auction, signaling renewed demand for the once-anonymous street artist.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Found among the stuffed animals at one airport gift shop – an actual living possum.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

You can report your lost item online or in person at the Lost & Found office at 3571 Pasadena Ave., which is adjacent to the A-Line Heritage Station.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

Found unresponsive in his bunk, his death was ruled due to hypertensive and cardiovascular disease.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

Found at scene: gear, footprints, one large stick, wrote Frank in his notebook.

From "The Missing Mitt (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #2)" by Franklin W. Dixon

Related Words

• begin
• construct
• create
• erect
• establish
• form
• initiate
• launch
• organize
• plant
• raise
• settle
• start