First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1find
verb \ˈfīnd\
: to discover (something or someone) without planning or trying to : to discover (something or someone) by chance
: to get or discover (something or someone that you are looking for)
: to discover or learn (something) by studying about it
found \ˈfau̇nd\ find·ing
Full Definition of FIND
transitive verb
1
a : to come upon often accidentally : encounter 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 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>
5
: to determine and make a statement about <find a verdict> <found her guilty>
intransitive verb
: to determine a case judicially by a verdict <find for the defendant>
— find·able \ˈfīn-də-bəl\ adjective
— find fault
: to criticize unfavorably
See find defined for English-language learners
See find defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of FIND
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
Related to FIND
- Synonyms
- ascertain, descry, detect, determine, dig out, dig up, discover, dredge (up), ferret (out), find out, get, hit (on or upon), hunt (down or up), learn, locate, nose out, root (out), rout (out), rummage, run down, scare up, scout (up), track (down), turn up
2find
noun
: something or someone that has been found; especially : a valuable person or thing that has been found or discovered
Full Definition of FIND
1
: an act or instance of finding
2
: something found: as a : a valuable discovery <an archaeological find> b : a person whose ability proves to be unexpectedly good
See find defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FIND
1825
Related to FIND
- Synonyms
- discovery
FIND Defined for Kids
1find
verb \ˈfīnd\
found \ˈfau̇nd\find·ing
Definition of FIND for Kids
1
: to come upon by chance <He found a dime.>
2
: to come upon or get by searching, study, or effort <She finally found the answer.> <I found some free time.>
3
: to make a decision about <The jury found her guilty.>
4
: to know by experience <I find this Web site useful.>
5
: to gain or regain the use of <I found my voice again.>
6
: to become aware of being in a place, condition, or activity <Omri found himself wondering … where his magnifying glass was. — Lynne Reid Banks, The Indian in the Cupboard>
— find·er noun
— find fault
: to criticize in an unfavorable way
— find out
: to learn by studying, watching, or searching <I found out the secret.>
2find
noun
Definition of FIND for Kids
: a usually valuable item or person found
Learn More About FIND
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up find? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).