Find | Mean of find in English Dictionary

/ˈfaɪnd/

• Verb
• to discover (something or someone) without planning or trying to
1. He found a dollar on the ground.
2. The well diggers found a number of Native American artifacts.
3. She finds [=meets] interesting people wherever she goes.
• to get or discover (something or someone that you are looking for)
1. After an hour of searching, I finally found my glasses.
2. find a missing person
3. We need to find a suitable person for the job.
4. I found a job for him. = I found him a job.
5. My glasses are nowhere to be found. = I can't find my glasses.
• to discover or learn (something) by studying about it
1. She found the answer at last.
2. They claim to have found a more efficient way to run the business.
3. researchers trying to find a cure for cancer

• to get (something needed or wanted) by effort
1. You must find time to do it.
2. I found a way to pay for college without taking out any loans.
3. She found the courage to address the crowd.
4. 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]
• to regard (someone or something you have met, seen, experienced, etc.) in a specified way
1. I found him (to be) a very sensible man. = I found him very sensible.
2. Students often find this book (to be) useful.
3. I find it hard to concentrate [=it is hard for me to concentrate] with that music playing.
4. The travel arrangements were found wanting. [=the travel arrangements were criticized]
• to be affected by (something) in a specified way
1. He finds laughing/laughter painful. = He finds it painful to laugh.
• to feel (a pleasing emotion)
1. He finds pleasure in her company.
2. They didn't win, but the team found some satisfaction in having played so well.
• to discover (someone) in a specified state
1. He found them waiting for him.
2. I found her relaxing by the pool.
3. He was found dead the next morning.
4. The crisis found them unprepared. [=they were unprepared when the crisis occurred]
• to become aware that you are doing something or that you are in a particular place or situation
1. I often find myself thinking about her.
2. When he awoke, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. [=he saw that he was in an unfamiliar room]
3. I found myself agreeing with him. [=I found that I agreed with him]
• to begin to have (something)
1. The new product found few buyers. [=few people bought it]
2. It took a while before his unusual brand of comedy found an audience.
3. These ideas have found approval/favor [=been accepted; become well-liked] among many young people.
4. His doctrines found acceptance [=were accepted] among scholars.
• to make a decision about the guilt or innocence of (someone)
1. The jury found her guilty.
2. She was found innocent.
• to decide the result of a court case
1. The jury found a verdict of guilty.
2. The jury found for the defendant. [=the jury's decision was in favor of the defendant]
3. The jury found against her.
• to criticize someone or something
1. No matter what she did, her husband was always finding fault.
2. Her husband found fault with everything she did.
• to hit a target that was aimed for
1. The bullet found its mark.
2. Her angry reaction showed that his criticisms had found their mark.
• to learn (something) by making an effort
1. I'd like to find out more about the school's psychology program.
2. We need to find out where the meeting is being held.
3. I don't know when the game starts, but I'll find out.
• to become aware of (something)
1. Her mother found out about her smoking habit.
• to learn the unpleasant truth about (someone)
1. He pretended to be a respectable citizen, but we found him out at last.
2. Luckily, he was found out before he could do any harm.
• to learn what you truly value and want in life
1. He left school and traveled to Europe, saying that he wanted to find himself.
• to begin speaking or expressing your thoughts
1. I couldn't speak for a moment, but then I found my voice.
2. a young novelist who has found her voice
• to look for and find where you need to go in order to get somewhere
1. I found my way home without any problems.
2. She got lost trying to find her way back to the hotel.
3. He's still finding his way as an actor. [=he's still learning what he needs to do to succeed as an actor]
• to go or arrive somewhere by chance or after a time of wandering
1. The settlers eventually found their way to California.
• Noun
• something or someone that has been found
• a valuable person or thing that has been found or discovered
1. That antique she bought at the flea market was a real find.
2. That new secretary of yours is a real find!