viewfinder

American  

[vyoo-fahyn-der] / ˈvyuˌfaɪn dər /

noun

Photography.

1. finder.

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viewfinder British  

/ ˈvjuːˌfaɪndə /

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: finder.  a device on a camera, consisting of a lens system and sometimes a ground-glass screen, enabling the user to see what will be included in his photograph

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Etymology

Origin of viewfinder

First recorded in 1890–95; view + finder

Example Sentences

“I shot without even looking at the viewfinder. Eye contact was better, with celebrities, than contact with a machine.”

From Washington Post • May 5, 2022

“We all see things through a wacky viewfinder. We’re all looking at whatever’s happening right now, and not just social and cultural events, but everyday things. ‘Are you raising a kid?

From Washington Post • Mar. 19, 2019

He handed me the camera and said, “Look through the viewfinder. That could be a car ad!”

From Washington Post • Nov. 23, 2016

He used to instruct her: “Look through the viewfinder. Stops you being involved. Stops you being scared.”

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2015