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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | findan |
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find1 S1 W1
past tense and past participle found
[transitive]
past tense and past participle found [transitive]1 to discover, see, or get something that you have been searching for : 
I can't find the car keys.Hold on while I find a pen. Her body was later found hidden in the bushes. I have to find somewhere else to live. She had almost given up hope of finding a husband. Her mother went to the shops, and on her return, Kathleen was nowhere to be found (=could not be found).
get by searching
I can't find the car keys.Hold on while I find a pen.Her body was later found hidden in the bushes.I have to find somewhere else to live.She had almost given up hope of finding a husband.Her mother went to the shops, and on her return, Kathleen was nowhere to be found (=could not be found).2 to discover something by chance, especially something useful or interesting : I found a purse in the street. We found a nice pub near the hotel.
see by chance
I found a purse in the street.We found a nice pub near the hotel.3 to discover that someone or something is in a particular condition or doing a particular thing when you see or touch them : I'm sure we'll find her hard at work when we get home. He tried the door and found it unlocked.
discover state of somebody/something
I'm sure we'll find her hard at work when we get home.He tried the door and found it unlocked.4 to be in a particular state or do a particular thing, or to realize that this is happening, especially when you did not expect or intend it : After wandering around, we found ourselves back at the hotel.
do something without meaning to
After wandering around, we found ourselves back at the hotel. find yourself/your mind etc doing something When he left, Karen found herself heaving a huge sigh of relief. She tried to concentrate, but found her mind drifting back to Alex.
When he left, Karen found herself heaving a huge sigh of relief.She tried to concentrate, but found her mind drifting back to Alex. find (that) He found he was shivering.
He found he was shivering.5 to discover or learn something by study, tests, sums etc : The federal government isn't doing enough to find a cure. How do you find the square root of 20?
learn something by study
The federal government isn't doing enough to find a cure.How do you find the square root of 20?6 to have a particular feeling or opinion, or to have a particular feeling or opinion about someone or something : Will Gary and Gail find happiness together?
think/feel
Will Gary and Gail find happiness together? find something/somebody easy/useful/interesting etc She found the work very dull. Lots of women I know find him attractive. I found them quite easy to use.
She found the work very dull.Lots of women I know find him attractive.I found them quite easy to use. find it hard/easy/difficult etc (to do something) Hyperactive children find it difficult to concentrate.
Hyperactive children find it difficult to concentrate.7 to have the experience of discovering that something happens or is true
experience
find (that) You might find that his work improves now he's at a new school. I find people are often surprised at how little it costs.
You might find that his work improves now he's at a new school.I find people are often surprised at how little it costs. find somebody/something doing something I think you'll find more women entering the film business now.
I think you'll find more women entering the film business now.8 if something is found somewhere, it lives or exists there naturally : This species is only found in West Africa.
exist in a place
be found somewhere
This species is only found in West Africa.9 to succeed in getting enough of something, especially money, time, or energy, to be able to do something : He's struggling to find the money for the trip. Where are we going to find the time, the support, and the resources to do all this?
get enough money/time etc
He's struggling to find the money for the trip.Where are we going to find the time, the support, and the resources to do all this?10 to make an official decision in a court of law
in a court of law
find somebody guilty/not guilty (of something) Both men were found guilty of illegally entering the country.
Both men were found guilty of illegally entering the country.11 to reach a place by discovering the right way to get there : Will you be able to find your way back?
find your way (somewhere)
Will you be able to find your way back?12 if something finds its way somewhere, it arrives or gets there after some time : Her invention has found its way into the shops.
find its way somewhere
informalHer invention has found its way into the shops.13 to experience a good feeling because of something :
find comfort/pleasure/fulfilment etc in something
14 to criticize someone or something, often unfairly and frequently : He could always find fault with something, either in my writing or in my personality.
find fault with somebody/something
He could always find fault with something, either in my writing or in my personality.15 to feel able or willing to do something : Seb could not find it in his heart to tell Nahum.
find it in your heart/yourself to do something
literarySeb could not find it in his heart to tell Nahum.16 to discover what you are really like and what you want to do - often used humorously : She went to India to find herself.
find yourself
informalShe went to India to find herself.17 be liked or approved of by someone : The recipes rapidly found favour with restaurant owners.
find favour (with somebody/something)
formalThe recipes rapidly found favour with restaurant owners.18 to become confident in a new situation, especially one that is difficult at first : Rob is still finding his feet as a coach.
find your feet
Rob is still finding his feet as a coach.19She soon saw that her accusation had found its mark.
find its mark/target
a) if a bullet, arrow etc finds its mark etc, it hits what it is supposed to hit
b) if a remark, criticism etc finds its mark etc, it has the effect that you intended it to have
She soon saw that her accusation had found its mark.20
find your voice
a) also find your tongue to manage to say something after being too nervous to talk
b) if a writer, musician etc finds their voice, they are able to express their views, ideas, art etc in the way they want to : a young film-maker who has finally found his voice
a young film-maker who has finally found his voicefind against somebody
phrasal verbSCL to judge that someone is wrong or guilty : The inspectors are likely to find against the company.
The inspectors are likely to find against the company.find for somebody
phrasal verbSCL to judge that someone is right or not guilty : The judge found for the plaintiff.
The judge found for the plaintiff.find out
phrasal verb2 if you are found out, someone discovers that you have been doing something dishonest or illegal [↪ catch]: What happens if we get found out?
find somebody out
[usually passive]What happens if we get found out?
