found
ˈfau̇nd 
; finding
; finding
1
a
: to come upon often accidentally : encounter
found a $10 bill on the ground
b
: to meet with (a particular reception)
hoped to find favor
2
3
a
: 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
N. M. Pusey4
5
: to determine and make a statement about
find a verdict
found her guilty
: to determine a case judicially by a verdict
find for the defendant
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
Synonyms
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 WebDan White, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
Now, a special team of detectives sets out to solve horrific murders, after two victims are found in the otherwise peaceful German countryside.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Apr. 2024
Beeswax is another allergen commonly found in lip balm, Cheraghlou noted.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
Tens of millions of people are expected to see the total eclipse, and even those who find themselves in a location in the continental United States outside the eclipse's direct path are likely to witness the stunning celestial event in some form.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
After protesting to the referee, Messi, Suarez and Alba found themselves in close quarters with Ortiz, and an argument erupted.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024
Debris from Xenia was found as far as 200 miles from the city.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024
The remains of his baby sister have never been found.
—Jonathan M. Hansen, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024
Huber, of Filer, was found in the vehicle alongside Meade, according to police.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2024
Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Infused with hyaluronic acid, shea butter, goji berry, and other beneficial ingredients for the lips, this $4 beauty find is essential for keeping your pout nourished during extended travel periods.
—Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2024
The report also details some of the more novel finds of 2023, including two live snakes, 19 Rolex watches, a jar full of shark teeth, and a Halloween card from the 1980s signed by president Richard Nixon.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
One of the most famous archaeological finds in history, the stone slab allowed scholars to decipher hieroglyphs for the first time, presenting the same statement in hieroglyphic script, Demotic and ancient Greek.
—Kate McMahon, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Because high-quality jade is a rare find nowadays, this is limited to only 50 pieces this year, and 50 pieces next year depending on availability.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
The find is helping to fill the gaps in the evolutionary history of freshwater dolphins, which are incredibly rare in the fossil record.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024
Start by upgrading your towels to these absorbent 100% cotton options while they’re priced from just $7 each, and think about replacing your bath mat with this reversible $11 find.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2024
When welded together, the two technologies are helping the nascent AI industry find and ways to remain creative, economically competitive, growth-focused, and reliably private.
—Maria Paula Fernandez, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Verb
If Amy was dealing with Stage 4 cancer and could find so much light in her life, what was their excuse, anyway?
—Dan White, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
Now, a special team of detectives sets out to solve horrific murders, after two victims are found in the otherwise peaceful German countryside.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Apr. 2024
Beeswax is another allergen commonly found in lip balm, Cheraghlou noted.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
Tens of millions of people are expected to see the total eclipse, and even those who find themselves in a location in the continental United States outside the eclipse's direct path are likely to witness the stunning celestial event in some form.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
After protesting to the referee, Messi, Suarez and Alba found themselves in close quarters with Ortiz, and an argument erupted.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024
Debris from Xenia was found as far as 200 miles from the city.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024
The remains of his baby sister have never been found.
—Jonathan M. Hansen, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024
Huber, of Filer, was found in the vehicle alongside Meade, according to police.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2024
Noun
But on a more personal level, collecting and sharing unique finds is just a whole lot of fun.
—Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Infused with hyaluronic acid, shea butter, goji berry, and other beneficial ingredients for the lips, this $4 beauty find is essential for keeping your pout nourished during extended travel periods.
—Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2024
The report also details some of the more novel finds of 2023, including two live snakes, 19 Rolex watches, a jar full of shark teeth, and a Halloween card from the 1980s signed by president Richard Nixon.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
One of the most famous archaeological finds in history, the stone slab allowed scholars to decipher hieroglyphs for the first time, presenting the same statement in hieroglyphic script, Demotic and ancient Greek.
—Kate McMahon, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Because high-quality jade is a rare find nowadays, this is limited to only 50 pieces this year, and 50 pieces next year depending on availability.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
The find is helping to fill the gaps in the evolutionary history of freshwater dolphins, which are incredibly rare in the fossil record.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024
Start by upgrading your towels to these absorbent 100% cotton options while they’re priced from just $7 each, and think about replacing your bath mat with this reversible $11 find.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2024
When welded together, the two technologies are helping the nascent AI industry find and ways to remain creative, economically competitive, growth-focused, and reliably private.
—Maria Paula Fernandez, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'find.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
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
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of find was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing find
Dictionary Entries Near find
Cite this Entry
“Find.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/find. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
find
1 of 2 verb
found
ˈfau̇nd
; finding
; finding
1
: to meet with someone or something by chance
found a dime
2
: to come upon by searching, study, or effort
finally found the answer
3
: to obtain by effort or management
find time to do it
4
: to make a decision
find a verdict
5
: to know by experience
people found it useful
6
: to gain or regain the use of
found my voice again
find
2 of 2 noun
: something found
especially
: a valuable item found
Legal Definition
find
verb
found; finding
1
: to come upon accidentally or through effort
found a valuable antique in the old desk
found a buyer for the property
: to make a judicial determination
the jury found in favor of the plaintiff
More from Merriam-Webster on find
Nglish: Translation of find for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of find for Arabic Speakers
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