find

UK: /ˈfaɪnd/ US: /faɪnd/ ,(fīnd)

Inflections of 'find' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

finds

v 3rd person singular

finding

v pres p

found

v past

found

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

find /faɪnd/   v., found/faʊnd/  find•ing, n. 
v. 

1. to come upon by chance;
   meet with:
   [~ + object] to find a dime in the street.
2. to locate by search or effort:
   [~ + object] to find an apartment.
3. to recover (something lost):
   [~ + object] I found my watch under the clothes.
4. to discover or perceive (something) after thinking about it or experiencing it: [~ + object + to + verb]
   [usually not: be + ~-ing] to find something to be true.
   [~ + object + adjective + to + verb]
   I found it hard to believe that they would betray me.
   [~ + (that) clause]
   I found that money can't buy happiness.
5. (used with impersonal subjects like "one'' or "you'', or in the passive form, be found) exist:
   [not: be + ~-ing* ~ + object] One/You won't find much rainfall in the desert.
6. to gain or regain the use of:
   [usually not: be + ~-ing* ~ + object] Where does the school find the money to get computers every year?
7. to figure out by study or calculation:
   [~ + object] to find the sum of several numbers.
8. to feel;
   perceive:
   [~ + object] I found some peace at work.
9. to become aware of (oneself), as being in a certain condition or place:
   [~ + oneself] She awoke to find herself back home.
10. Law [not: be + ~-ing]
    • [~ + object + adjective] to determine after judicial inquiry:
      to find a person guilty.
    • [~ + for + object] to determine or decide an issue after a trial:
      The jury found for the defendant.
11. find out:
    • to discover, expose, or confirm: [~ + out + object]
      The detective couldn't find out anything about that suspect.
    • [~ + object + out] to uncover and expose the true nature of (someone):
      You will be found out if you lie.

n. [countable]

12. something found, esp. a valuable or gratifying discovery:
    What a find: gold, bullion, and old Spanish coins.

Idioms

13. Idioms find oneself, to discover and pursue one's genuine interests and talents:
    He took a year off from school in order to find himself.

find•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

find  (fīnd), v., found, find•ing, n. 
v.t. 

1. to come upon by chance;
   meet with:
   He found a nickel in the street.
2. to locate, attain, or obtain by search or effort:
   to find an apartment; to find happiness.
3. to locate or recover (something lost or misplaced):
   I can't find my blue socks.
4. to discover or perceive after consideration:
   to find something to be true.
5. to gain or regain the use of:
   His anger finally helped him find his tongue.
6. to ascertain by study or calculation:
   to find the sum of several numbers.
7. to feel or perceive:
   He finds it so.
8. to become aware of, or discover (oneself ), as being in a condition or location:
   After a long illness, he found himself well again. She woke to find herself at home.
9. to discover:
   Columbus found America in 1492.
10. Law
    • to determine after judicial inquiry:
      to find a person guilty.
    • to pronounce as an official act (an indictment, verdict, or judgment).
11. to provide or furnish:
    Bring blankets and we'll find the rest of the equipment for the trip.
12. Dialect Terms [South Midland and Southern U.S.] (of farm animals) to give birth to:
    The brown cow found a calf yesterday.

v.i. 

13. Law to determine an issue after judicial inquiry:
    The jury found for the plaintiff.
14. British Terms, Sport [Hunting Brit.] to come upon game.
15. find fault. See fault (def. 12).
16. Idioms find oneself, to discover where one's real interests or talents lie, and follow them:
    After trying many occupations, he finally found himself and became an account executive.
17. find out:
    • to discover or confirm the truth of (something).
    • to detect or expose, as a crime or offense.
    • to uncover the true nature, identity, or intentions of (someone):
      They found him out before he could launch the rebellion.

n. 

18. an act of finding or discovering.
19. something found;
    a discovery, esp. a valuable or gratifying one:
    Our cook was a find.
20. Sport [Hunting.] a discovery of game, esp. foxes.

• bef. 900; Middle English finden, Old English findan; cognate with German finden, Dutch vinden, Old Norse finna, Gothic finthan

find′a•ble, adj. 
Synonyms

• 2. achieve, win, earn, acquire.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

find / faɪnd/ verb (finds, finding, found / faʊnd/)(mainly tr)

1. to meet with or discover by chance
2. to discover or obtain, esp by search or effort: to find happiness
3. (may take a clause as object) to become aware of; realize: he found that nobody knew
4. (may take a clause as object) to regard as being; consider: I find this wine a little sour
5. to look for and point out (something to be criticized): to find fault
6. (also intr) to determine an issue after judicial inquiry and pronounce a verdict (upon): the court found the accused guilty
7. to regain (something lost or not functioning): to find one's tongue
8. to reach (a target): the bullet found its mark
9. to provide, esp with difficulty: we'll find room for you too
10. to be able to pay: I can't find that amount of money
11. find oneself ⇒ to realize and accept one's real character; discover one's true vocation
12. find one's feet ⇒ to become capable or confident, as in a new job

noun

1. a person, thing, etc, that is found, esp a valuable or fortunate discovery

Etymology: Old English findan; related to Old Norse finna, Gothic finthan, Old High German fintan to find

ˈfindable adjective