find out

verb

found out; finding out; finds out
Synonyms of find outnext

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.
Katrina Shadix, a 58-year-old anti-bear-hunt activist in the Orlando area, found out through a public-records request that the FWC accessed her DAVID information 17 times between 2023 and 2025. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026 That resolve is now to find out what happened to Rose all those years ago and who was responsible. Edie Peffley, NBC news, 25 July 2026 Boston’s about to find out what its franchise cornerstone is made of. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026 Unfortunately, Sidney returns in the nick of time to find out the tables had been turned on her. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026 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 26 Jul. 2026.

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

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