find

[ fahynd ]

verb (used with object)

, found, find·ing.

1. to come upon by chance; meet with:

   He found a nickel in the street.

2. to locate, attain, or obtain by search or effort:

   to find an apartment; to find happiness.

   Synonyms: acquire, earn, win, achieve

3. to locate or recover (something lost or misplaced):

   I can't find my blue socks.

4. to discover or perceive after consideration:

   to find something to be true.

5. to gain or regain the use of:

   His anger finally helped him find his tongue.

6. to ascertain by study or calculation:

   to find the sum of several numbers.

7. to feel or perceive:

   He finds it so.

8. to become aware of, or discover (oneself ), as being in a condition or location:

   After a long illness, he found himself well again. She woke to find herself at home.

9. to discover:

   Columbus found America in 1492.

10. Law.
    1. to determine after judicial inquiry:

       to find a person guilty.

    2. to pronounce as an official act (an indictment, verdict, or judgment).
11. to provide or furnish:

    Bring blankets and we'll find the rest of the equipment for the trip.

12. South Midland and Southern U.S. (of farm animals) to give birth to:

    The brown cow found a calf yesterday.

verb (used without object)

, found, find·ing.

1. to determine an issue after judicial inquiry:

   The jury found for the plaintiff.

2. British Hunting. to come upon game.

noun

1. an act of finding or discovering.
2. something found; a discovery, especially a valuable or gratifying one:

   Our cook was a find.

3. Hunting. a discovery of game, especially foxes.

verb phrase

1. 1. to discover or confirm the truth of (something).
   2. to detect or expose, as a crime or offense.
   3. to uncover the true nature, identity, or intentions of (someone):

      They found him out before he could launch the rebellion.

find

/ faɪnd /

verb

1. to meet with or discover by chance
2. to discover or obtain, esp by search or effort

   to find happiness

3. may take a clause as object to become aware of; realize

   he found that nobody knew

4. may take a clause as object to regard as being; consider

   I find this wine a little sour

5. to look for and point out (something to be criticized)

   to find fault

6. also intr law to determine an issue after judicial inquiry and pronounce a verdict (upon)

   the court found the accused guilty

7. to regain (something lost or not functioning)

   to find one's tongue

8. to reach (a target)

   the bullet found its mark

9. to provide, esp with difficulty

   we'll find room for you too

10. to be able to pay

    I can't find that amount of money

11. find oneself
    to realize and accept one's real character; discover one's true vocation
12. find one's feet
    to become capable or confident, as in a new job

noun

1. a person, thing, etc, that is found, esp a valuable or fortunate discovery

Derived Forms

• ˈfindable, adjective

Other Words From

• finda·ble adjective
• re·find verb (used with object) refound refinding

Word History and Origins

Origin of find¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English finden, Old English findan; cognate with German finden, Dutch vinden, Old Norse finna, Gothic finthan

Word History and Origins

Origin of find¹

Old English findan ; related to Old Norse finna , Gothic finthan , Old High German fintan to find

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. find oneself, to discover where one's real interests or talents lie, and follow them:

   After trying many occupations, he finally found himself and became an account executive.

2. find fault. fault ( def 16 ).

More idioms and phrases containing find

• hard way (find out the)

Example Sentences

The fight to find her remains provides the series’ most moving moments, but it’s Dolours who is its dramatic key.

From Los Angeles Times

“Two little girls, 6 and 9, went to sleep not knowing the last time they would see their parents would be when they woke up to find them shot to death,” said Todd Spitzer, Orange County district attorney.

From Los Angeles Times

Modern life in the West is an expanding raft of the consequences resulting from pretending to be finished with history, only to find its unreconciled chapters won’t let us be.

From Salon

The fire service said its firefighters arrived at the scene to find a bus in a ditch and they assisted the driver from the vehicle.

From BBC

"You'll find out the line-up at 4pm tomorrow," said Keothavong.

From BBC

Related Words

• treasure trove