find

 
Pronunciation: /fʌɪnd/

verb (past and past participle found /faʊnd/)

[with object]
  • 1discover or perceive by chance or unexpectedly: Lindsey looked up to find Niall watching her the remains of a headless body had been found
  • discover after a deliberate search: I can’t find my keys the sailor and his crew were found safe and well last night
  • (find oneself) discover oneself to be in a particular situation: phobia sufferers often find themselves virtual prisoners in their own home
  • succeed in obtaining (something): he’s still struggling to find the money for the trip
  • summon up (a quality, especially courage) with an effort: I found the courage to speak
  • [no object] (of hunters or hounds) discover game, especially a fox: Lady Montego heard the new halloo—they had found
  • 2identify (something) as being present: vitamin B12 is found in dairy products a rare species found only in the Italian Alps
  • discover or experience to be the case: [with object and infinitive]: the majority of staff find the magazine to be informative and useful [with clause]: she found that none of the local nursery schools had an available slot
  • ascertain by study, calculation, or inquiry: the class are encouraged to find their own solutions to problems
  • (find oneself) discover the fundamental truths about one’s own character and identity.
  • [with object and complement] experience or regard (something) in a specified way: both men found it difficult to put ideas into words
  • Law (of a court) officially declare to be the case: [with object and complement]: he was found guilty of speeding [with clause]: the court found that a police lab expert had fabricated evidence
  • 3reach or arrive at by a natural or normal process: water finds its own level
  • (find one's way) reach one’s destination, typically without first knowing how to get there: she’ll never find her way to the house on her own
  • (of a letter) reach (someone).

noun

  • a discovery of something valuable, typically something of archaeological interest: he made his most spectacular finds in the Valley of the Kings
  • a person who is discovered to be useful or interesting in some way: Ted had turned out to be a real find
  • Hunting the finding of a fox.

Phrases

all found

British dated (of an employee’s wages) with board and lodging provided free: your wages would be five shillings all found

find fault

see fault

find favour

be liked or prove acceptable: the ballets did not find favour with the public

find one's feet

stand up and become able to walk.
become confident or successful in a particular field or activity: it was in in Germany that Kennedy found his feet as a performer

find God

experience a religious conversion or awakening.

find in favour of

see find for below

find it in one's heart to do something

allow or force oneself to do something: Seb could not find it in his heart to dislike Plunkett

Phrasal Verbs

find against

Law (of a court) make a decision against or judge to be guilty.

find for (or find in favour of)

Law (of a court) make a decision in favour of, or judge to be innocent: the Court of Exchequer found for the plaintiffs

find someone out

detect a person’s immoral or offensive actions: she would always find him out if he tried to lie

find something out (or find out about something)

discover a fact: he hadn’t time to find out what was bothering her

Derivatives

findable

adjective

Origin:

Old English findan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vinden and German finden