find

verb

\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

Two men were found fatally shot in Detroit — one on Friday night and the other Saturday morning — according to Detroit Police Department. — Lori Higgins, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Police investigate two fatal shootings on city's east side," 14 July 2018 More than 92 percent of initial assessments were changed as a result of hand reviews and other adjustments, the study found. — Hal Dardick, chicagotribune.com, "Berrios' analysts used Zillow, other shortcuts in assessing property values, documents show," 13 July 2018 The study finds considerable evidence of climate gentrification, and for the elevation hypothesis in particular. — Richard Florida, WIRED, "Climate Change Will Force the Poor From Their Homes," 13 July 2018 That study found that women who used talc as a feminine hygiene product were three times more likely to develop ovarian cancer as women who did not. — Elizabeth Inglese, Vogue, "Why Johnson & Johnson’s $4.7 Billion Baby Powder Lawsuit Is Important for Women Everywhere," 13 July 2018 Nonetheless, an Ameriprise study found that 23% of adults with pre-tax retirement plans have withdrawn funds or borrowed money from their accounts. — Abby Haglage, refinery29.com, "4 Women Explain Why They Liquidated Their 401(k)s — & If It Was Worth It," 13 July 2018 Additional information may be found at www.gbacf.org. — The Aegis, "Pavilion installed at Shamrock Park, equipment improved," 13 July 2018 The plant was found in Virginia for the first time last month. — Sarah Klein, Health.com, "Giant Hogweed Sent This Virginia Teen to the Hospital. Here's What to Know About the Scary Plant That Can Burn Your Skin and Lead to Blindness," 13 July 2018 Jadalynn Rebecca Myers, 24, was found dead Tuesday off Shelbyville Road in far eastern Jefferson County, before the entrance to Valhalla Golf Club. — Darcy Costello, The Courier-Journal, "Police ask for help finding purple Honda involved in fatal hit-and-run," 13 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Another curious find from the recent study was traces of bracken, a type of fern, in Ötzi’s stomach. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "Before He Died, Ötzi the Iceman Ate a Greasy, Fatty Meal," 13 July 2018 Born to Mary Ruth Kowalski and Orrin W. Thompson, on a kitchen table in an Ellington farmhouse on Halloween night, Tommy spent his boyhood in mischief of fantastic finds. — courant.com, "Orrin W. Thompson," 7 July 2018 Jim also loved restoring antique cars and collecting bottles and insulators and always appreciated a great find. — Hartford Courant, courant.com, "James Edward Darby Sr.," 17 June 2018 Vintage and modern finds in Italy's fashion capital. — Condé Nast Traveler, "Beyond the Basics: Milan," 6 Mar. 2018 Often an accidental find of possible remains will open a recovery operation. — Brian Murphy, Washington Post, "How one man’s obsession led to the discovery of a lost WWII pilot," 30 June 2018 Another golden discovery was also made in 2014 when German archaeologists recovered a find of over a million euros worth of Roman gold and silver jewellery from an amateur treasure hunter who dug it up illegally in a forest. — Shireen Khalil, Fox News, "Gold coins worth $155G discovered in abandoned house," 12 June 2018 The mix of high fashion with street style and flea-market finds, is distinctly Patricia. — Amanda Arnold, The Cut, "Talking to the Women Behind the Most Popular Sex and the City Fashion Instagram Account," 30 May 2018 Check out all of Drew’s fabulous finds and beauty secrets below! — Kaitlyn Frey, PEOPLE.com, "Shop Every Beauty Product Drew Barrymore Swears By," 24 May 2018

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.

History and Etymology for find

Verb

Middle English, from Old English findan; akin to Old High German findan to find, Latin pont-, pons bridge, Greek pontos sea, Sanskrit patha way, course

Noun

see find entry 1

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Last Updated

13 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for find

The first known use of find was before the 12th century

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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