find out

verb

found out; finding out; finds out

transitive verb

1

: to learn by effort, study, observation, or search : discover

I need to find out where the meeting is being held.

2

a

: to catch in an offense (such as a crime)

The culprits were soon found out.

b

: to ascertain the true character or identity of

The informer was eventually found out.

intransitive verb

: to discover, learn, or verify something

I don't know, but I'll find out for you.

Synonyms of find out

• realize
• discover
• see
• learn
• hear

Examples of find out in a Sentence

that was around the time that I found out I was adopted

found out about the new restaurant by reading reviews online

Recent Examples on the Web

The journalists who work there found out the same way investors did. — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

McGregor, however, was pleasantly surprised, many years later, to find out that there actually is a passionate fanbase out there for his three Star Wars movies. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026

Then the frantic scramble to find out more, share the story, pass judgement, analyse, and, for the really creative few, produce that nugget of information that offers genuine insight — or failing that, generates a healthy supply of clicks and likes. — Gregg Evans, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

What was the difference between knowing abstractly and finding out that your grandfather's grandfather was enslaved? — Terry Gross, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for find out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

find out

verb

1

: to learn by study, observation, or search : discover

2

: to catch doing something bad

the culprit was found out