find

play

verb \ˈfīnd\

Definition of find

found

play \ˈfau̇nd\;

finding

transitive verb
1a : to come upon often accidentally : encounter found a $10 bill on the groundb : 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 jobb : to discover by study or experiment find an answerc : to obtain by effort or management find the time to studyd : attain, reach the bullet found its mark
3a : to discover by the intellect or the feelings : experience find much pleasure in your companyb : to perceive (oneself) to be in a certain place or condition found himself in prison awaiting deportation found himself on the verge of bankruptcyc : to gain or regain the use or power of trying to find his tongued : 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, supplyb : 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

findable

play \ˈfīn-də-bəl\ adjective

find fault

: to criticize unfavorably

See find defined for English-language learners

See find defined for kids

Examples of find in a Sentence

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.

Origin and Etymology of find

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

find

noun

Definition of find

1 : an act or instance of finding
2 : something found: such asa : a valuable discovery an archaeological findb : a person whose ability proves to be unexpectedly good

See find defined for English-language learners

Examples of find in a Sentence

That antique she bought at the flea market was a real find.
That new secretary of yours is a real find!

Origin and Etymology of find

see ¹find

First Known Use: 1802

FIND Defined for English Language Learners

find

play

verb

Definition of find for English Language Learners

: 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

Definition of find for English Language Learners

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

FIND Defined for Kids

find

play

verb \ˈfīnd\

Definition of find for Students

found

\ˈfau̇nd\;

finding

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

finder

noun

find fault

: to criticize in an unfavorable way

find out

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

find

play

noun

Definition of find for Students

: a usually valuable item or person found

Law Dictionary

find

verb

Legal Definition of find

found

finding

transitive verb
1 : to come upon accidentally or through effort found a valuable antique in the old desk found a buyer for the property
2 : to make a judicial determination regarding found the testimony not credible found the defendant guilty — compare decide, hold
intransitive verb
: to make a judicial determination the jury found in favor of the plaintiff