find
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to come upon by chance; meet with.
He found a nickel in the street.
-
to locate, attain, or obtain by search or effort.
to find an apartment; to find happiness.
-
to locate or recover (something lost or misplaced).
I can't find my blue socks.
-
to discover or perceive after consideration.
to find something to be true.
-
to gain or regain the use of.
His anger finally helped him find his tongue.
-
to ascertain by study or calculation.
to find the sum of several numbers.
-
to feel or perceive.
He finds it so.
-
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.
-
to discover.
Columbus found America in 1492.
-
Law.
-
to determine after judicial inquiry.
to find a person guilty.
-
to pronounce as an official act (an indictment, verdict, or judgment).
-
-
to provide or furnish.
Bring blankets and we'll find the rest of the equipment for the trip.
-
South Midland and Southern U.S. (of farm animals) to give birth to.
The brown cow found a calf yesterday.
verb (used without object)
-
to determine an issue after judicial inquiry.
The jury found for the plaintiff.
-
British Hunting. to come upon game.
noun
-
an act of finding or discovering.
-
something found; a discovery, especially a valuable or gratifying one.
Our cook was a find.
-
Hunting. a discovery of game, especially foxes.
verb phrase
idioms
-
find fault. fault.
-
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.
verb
-
to meet with or discover by chance
-
to discover or obtain, esp by search or effort
to find happiness
-
(may take a clause as object) to become aware of; realize
he found that nobody knew
-
(may take a clause as object) to regard as being; consider
I find this wine a little sour
-
to look for and point out (something to be criticized)
to find fault
-
(also intr) law to determine an issue after judicial inquiry and pronounce a verdict (upon)
the court found the accused guilty
-
to regain (something lost or not functioning)
to find one's tongue
-
to reach (a target)
the bullet found its mark
-
to provide, esp with difficulty
we'll find room for you too
-
to be able to pay
I can't find that amount of money
-
to realize and accept one's real character; discover one's true vocation
-
to become capable or confident, as in a new job
noun
Other Word Forms
- findable adjective
- refind verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of find
First recorded before 900; Middle English finden, Old English findan; cognate with German finden, Dutch vinden, Old Norse finna, Gothic finthan
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.
In fact, the effects on lung function close to the Salton Sea have been greater than what studies find in urban California communities near busy roadways.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
It slandered jurors in criminal trials for refusing to find people guilty for alleged crimes against the government.
From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026
Global supply chain headaches have been hitting chocolate hard and buyers have struggled to find reasonably priced chocolate treats this spring.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
The simple truth is, people stop looking for work when jobs are harder to find.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026
It happens now, when he looks up to find that, once again, I can’t stop myself from staring at him, and he suddenly glances down at the hose in his hand.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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.
