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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The team will find out if Wilson can help make a difference in two weeks, as the Cowboys have a bye this week. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025 Sauer, though, suspected otherwise and trekked to the site himself to find out. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2025 After all avenues have been exhausted for finding out who these people are, the chief medical examiner of Alexandroupoli calls the chief imam of Sidiro, which is a Muslim Greek village. Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025 Trump previously instructed government lawyers to find out how the benefits could legally be distributed during the shutdown after two courts said the administration could not cut them off. Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for find out

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of find out was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Find out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/find%20out. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on find out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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