find

verb

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\ ˈfīnd

found\ ˈfau̇nd

\; finding

Definition of find

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to come upon often accidentally : encounter found a $10 bill on the ground

b : to meet with (a particular reception) hoped to find favor

2a : to come upon by searching or effort must find a suitable person for the job

b : to discover by study or experiment find an answer

c : to obtain by effort or management find the time to study

d : attain, reach the bullet found its mark

3a : to discover by the intellect or the feelings : experience find much pleasure in your company

b : to perceive (oneself) to be in a certain place or condition found himself in prison awaiting deportation found himself on the verge of bankruptcy

c : to gain or regain the use or power of trying to find his tongue

d : to bring (oneself) to a realization of one's powers or of one's proper sphere of activity must help the student to find himself as an individual— N. M. Pusey

4a : provide, supply

b : to furnish (room and board) especially as a condition of employment he was chopping by day's work—75 cents a day—and found himself— Herman Melville

5 : to determine and make a statement about find a verdict found her guilty

intransitive verb

: to determine a case judicially by a verdict find for the defendant

find fault

: to criticize unfavorably

find

noun

Definition of find (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an act or instance of finding

2 : something found: such as

a : a valuable discovery an archaeological find

b : a person whose ability proves to be unexpectedly good

Other Words from find Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about find

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Examples of find in a Sentence

Verb He found a dollar on the ground. The well diggers found a number of Native American artifacts. After an hour of searching, I finally found my glasses. We need to find a suitable person for the job. She found the answer at last. They claim to have found a more efficient way to run the business. researchers trying to find a cure for cancer You must find time to do it. I found a way to pay for college without taking out any loans. She found the courage to address the crowd. Noun That antique she bought at the flea market was a real find. That new secretary of yours is a real find!

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Nevada Highway Patrol says passengers must be alive and breathing in order to be counted A routine traffic stop resulted in a peculiar lesson on driving rules when an undertaker was found transporting a deceased person in the HOV lane in Las Vegas. — Robyn Merrett, PEOPLE.com, "Highway Patrol Pulls Over Undertaker in HOV Lane Who Jokingly Argues Corpse in Hearse Should Count," 4 July 2019 The rat avoided capture for 10 months but was found dead Sunday by a visiting bird watcher. — USA TODAY, "Robot hostesses, veggie booze, ‘civil death’: News from around our 50 states," 4 July 2019 He was found guilty of posing for photos with a dead enemy fighter. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "SEAL platoon commander charged in war crime cover-up heading to trial in September," 4 July 2019 Suspicious activity, SOM Center Road: Two softball players were found drinking alcoholic beverages at the softball fields June 26 and were advised to pour them out. — cleveland.com, "Tanning spa employee fields question about her panties: Mayfield Village Police Blotter," 3 July 2019 She was found in an apartment near her home on Meredith Drive just after 8:15 a.m. Monday. — Cincinnati.com, "'It was a mistake’ says mom of 3-year-old found in vacant, locked apartment," 3 July 2019 Trout wasn’t alone following a 9-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night, a day after the 27-year-old Skaggs was found unresponsive in his room at the team hotel. — Schuyler Dixon, The Denver Post, "Angels try to get handle on raw emotion after Tyler Skaggs death," 3 July 2019 Wesley was moved from the complex to the House of Correction once he was found competent to participate in his defense on a charge of robbery with threat of force. — Sydney Czyzon, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Mental health advocate sues county, says it failed to provide mental illness medication to her son in jail," 3 July 2019 The body of a Louisville man who was missing for two days after his boat capsized in the Ohio River was found Wednesday afternoon, officials said. — Billy Kobin, The Courier-Journal, "Friends find body of missing Louisville man whose boat capsized in the Ohio River," 3 July 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun This elite breed of all-star face cleansers includes award-winning classics that are gentle as can be, dermatologist favorites that pack the benefits, and some fancy finds that give your skin the royal treatment. — Allure, "The 21 Best Facial Cleansers of All Time," 3 Dec. 2019 Plus, the eye treatment is currently 30% off right now during Amazon's Cyber Monday event, turning this previous splurge into a budget-friendly find. — Braelyn Wood, Health.com, "Kristen Bell Uses the Skyn Iceland Eye Gels to De-Puff Before Photo Shoots," 2 Dec. 2019 The Christmas markets that pop up across the region this time of year promise fragrant finds, mulled wine and endless arrays of holiday treasures. — Aj Willingham, CNN, "A basketball hero, an amazing find and some serious friendship goals," 29 Nov. 2019 However, that doesn’t stop the diehards who have made Black Friday more than a shopping spree, but an annual tradition of food, friendship and great finds. — Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, "Black Friday powered more by tradition than discounts for some Denver area shoppers," 29 Nov. 2019 So, who better for Ron Lewert and his wife, Alicia, to call about that mysterious find in their roof? — CBS News, "Aging well: The allure of vintage spirits," 24 Nov. 2019 Some other interesting finds include that the $1.49 reusable IKEA bag is the most searched-for product in New Jersey and New York. — Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, "These Are the Most-Searched IKEA Products in the U.S.," 21 Nov. 2019 At Tezontle studio, founded by architects Carlos H. Matos and Lucas Cantu, pre-Hispanic archaeological finds are displayed next to the large-scale cement sculptures for which the pair are renowned. — Condé Nast Traveler, "Our Favorite Places to Shop in Mexico City," 10 Oct. 2019 Another reliable find is a sandwich of some kind, made with plain, untopped pizza. — New York Times, "Chasing the Perfect Slice, Bread and Salt in Jersey City Looks to Rome," 8 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'find.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Find.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/find. Accessed 10 December 2019.

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More Definitions for find

find

verb

English Language Learners Definition of find

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to discover (something or someone) without planning or trying to : to discover (something or someone) by chance

: to get or discover (something or someone that you are looking for)

: to discover or learn (something) by studying about it

find

noun

English Language Learners Definition of find (Entry 2 of 2)

: something or someone that has been found especially : a valuable person or thing that has been found or discovered

See the full definition for find in the English Language Learners Dictionary

find

verb

\ ˈfīnd

found\ ˈfau̇nd \; finding

Kids Definition of find

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to come upon by chance He found a dime.

2 : to come upon or get by searching, study, or effort She finally found the answer. I found some free time.

3 : to make a decision about The jury found her guilty.

4 : to know by experience I find this Web site useful.

5 : to gain or regain the use of I found my voice again.

6 : to become aware of being in a place, condition, or activity Omri found himself wondering … where his magnifying glass was.— Lynne Reid Banks, The Indian in the Cupboard

find fault

: to criticize in an unfavorable way

find out

: to learn by studying, watching, or searching I found out the secret.

find

noun

Kids Definition of find (Entry 2 of 2)

: a usually valuable item or person found

find

verb

found; finding