find
10 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of FIND
1
[+ object]
a
:
to discover (something or someone) without planning or trying to
:
to discover (something or someone) by chance
-
He found a dollar on the ground.
-
The well diggers found a number of Native American artifacts.
-
She finds [=meets] interesting people wherever she goes.
b
◊ Something or someone that is found in a specified place exists there or lives there.
-
Many artifacts can be found in this area. [=there are many artifacts in this area]
-
Polar bears are found in the Northern Hemisphere.
2
[+ object]
:
to get or discover (something or someone that you are looking for)
-
After an hour of searching, I finally found my glasses.
-
find a missing person
-
We need to find a suitable person for the job.
-
I found a job for him. = I found him a job.
-
My glasses are nowhere to be found. = I can't find my glasses.
3
[+ object]
a
:
to discover or learn (something) by studying about it
-
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
b
:
to get (something needed or wanted) by effort
-
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.
-
I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. = I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me. [=I hope you can forgive me]
4
[+ object]
a
:
to regard (someone or something you have met, seen, experienced, etc.) in a specified way
-
I found him (to be) a very sensible man. = I found him very sensible.
-
Students often find this book (to be) useful.
-
I find it hard to concentrate [=it is hard for me to concentrate] with that music playing.
-
The travel arrangements were found wanting. [=the travel arrangements were criticized]
b
:
to be affected by (something) in a specified way
-
He finds laughing/laughter painful. = He finds it painful to laugh.
c
:
to feel (a pleasing emotion)
-
He finds pleasure in her company.
-
They didn't win, but the team found some satisfaction in having played so well.
5
[+ object]
a
:
to discover (someone) in a specified state
-
He found them waiting for him.
-
I found her relaxing by the pool.
-
He was found dead the next morning.
-
The crisis found them unprepared. [=they were unprepared when the crisis occurred]
b
:
to become aware that you are doing something or that you are in a particular place or situation
-
I often find myself thinking about her.
-
When he awoke, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. [=he saw that he was in an unfamiliar room]
-
I found myself agreeing with him. [=I found that I agreed with him]
6
[+ object]
:
to begin to have (something)
-
The new product found few buyers. [=few people bought it]
-
It took a while before his unusual brand of comedy found an audience.
-
These ideas have found approval/favor [=been accepted; become well-liked] among many young people.
-
His doctrines found acceptance [=were accepted] among scholars.
7
law
a
[+ object]
:
to make a decision about the guilt or innocence of (someone)
-
The jury found her guilty.
-
She was found innocent.
b
:
to decide the result of a court case
[+ object]
-
The jury found a verdict of guilty.
[no object]
-
The jury found for the defendant. [=the jury's decision was in favor of the defendant]
-
The jury found against her.
find common cause
find fault
:
to criticize someone or something
— usually + with
—
see also faultfinder
-
No matter what she did, her husband was always finding fault.
-
Her husband found fault with everything she did.
find its mark/target
:
to hit a target that was aimed for
— often used figuratively
-
The bullet found its mark.
-
Her angry reaction showed that his criticisms had found their mark.
find out
[phrasal verb]
1
find out (something)
:
to learn (something) by making an effort
-
I'd like to find out more about the school's psychology program.
-
We need to find out where the meeting is being held.
-
I don't know when the game starts, but I'll find out.
2
find out about (something)
:
to become aware of (something)
-
Her mother found out about her smoking habit.
3
find (someone) out
:
to learn the unpleasant truth about (someone)
-
He pretended to be a respectable citizen, but we found him out at last.
-
Luckily, he was found out before he could do any harm.
find your bearings
find yourself
:
to learn what you truly value and want in life
-
He left school and traveled to Europe, saying that he wanted to find himself.
find your voice
:
to begin speaking or expressing your thoughts
:
to be able to speak or to express yourself as a writer
-
I couldn't speak for a moment, but then I found my voice.
-
a young novelist who has found her voice
find your way
1
:
to look for and find where you need to go in order to get somewhere
— often used figuratively
-
I found my way home without any problems.
-
She got lost trying to find her way back to the hotel.
-
He's still finding his way as an actor. [=he's still learning what he needs to do to succeed as an actor]
2
:
to go or arrive somewhere by chance or after a time of wandering
-
The settlers eventually found their way to California.
2
find
/ˈfaɪnd/
noun
plural
finds
2
find
/ˈfaɪnd/
noun
plural
finds
Britannica Dictionary definition of FIND
[count]
:
something or someone that has been found
especially
:
a valuable person or thing that has been found or discovered
-
That antique she bought at the flea market was a real find.
-
That new secretary of yours is a real find!
