/ faɪnd; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
( found , found / faʊnd; NAmE /)
BY CHANCE
1.
to discover sb/sth unexpectedly or by chance :
[ vn ]
Look what I've found!
We've found a great new restaurant near the office.
[ vn - adj ]
A whale was found washed up on the shore.
BY SEARCHING
2.
find sth (for sb) | find (sb) sth to get back sth/sb that was lost after searching for it/them :
[ vn , vnn ]
Can you find my bag for me?
Can you find me my bag?
[ vn ]
I wanted to talk to him but he was nowhere to be found .
[ vn - adj ]
The child was found safe and well.
BY STUDYING / THINKING
3.
to discover sth/sb by searching, studying or thinking carefully :
[ vn ]
scientists trying to find a cure for cancer
I managed to find a solution to the problem.
I'm having trouble finding anything new to say on this subject.
Have they found anyone to replace her yet?
[ vn , vnn ]
Can you find a hotel for me?
Can you find me a hotel?
BY EXPERIENCE / TESTING
4.
to discover that sth is true after you have tried it, tested it or experienced it :
[ v ( that )]
I find (that) it pays to be honest.
The report found that 30% of the firms studied had failed within a year.
[ vn - adj ]
We found the beds very comfortable.
[ vn to inf , vn that ]
Her blood was found to contain poison.
It was found that her blood contained poison.
[ vn to inf ]
They found him to be charming.
[also vn - n ]
HAVE OPINION / FEELING
5.
to have a particular feeling or opinion about sth :
[ vn - adj ]
You may find your illness hard to accept.
You may find it hard to accept your illness.
I find it amazing that they're still together.
[ vn - n ]
She finds it a strain to meet new people.
HAVE / MAKE AVAILABLE
6.
[ vn ] to have sth available so that you can use it :
I keep meaning to write, but never seem to find (the) time.
How are we going to find £5 000 for a car?
IN UNEXPECTED SITUATIONS
7.
to discover sb/sth/yourself doing sth or in a particular situation, especially when this is unexpected :
[ vn ]
She woke up and found herself in a hospital bed.
[ vn - adj ]
We came home and found him asleep on the sofa.
[ vn -ing ]
I suddenly found myself running down the street.
[ v ( that )]
I was disappointed to find that they had left already.
REACH
8.
[ vn ] ( of things ) to arrive at sth naturally; to reach sth :
Water will always find its own level.
Most of the money finds its way to the people who need it.
The criticism found its mark (= had the effect intended) .
EXIST / GROW
9.
[ vn ] used to say that sth exists, grows, etc. somewhere :
These flowers are found only in Africa.
You'll find this style of architecture all over the town.
IN COURT
10.
( formal ) to make a particular decision in a court case :
[ vn ]
How do you find the accused?
[ vn - adj ]
The jury found him guilty.
[ v ]
The court found in her favour .
•
IDIOMS
- all found
- find fault (with sb/sth)
- find your feet
- find it in your heart / yourself to do sth
- find your voice / tongue
- find your way (to ... )
- find your / its way (to / into ... )
- take sb as you find them
—more at bearing , match noun , nowhere
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- find for / against sb
- find out (about sth/sb) | find out sth (about sth/sb)
- find sb out
■ noun
a thing or person that has been found, especially one that is interesting, valuable or useful :
an important archaeological find
Our new babysitter is a real find .
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English findan , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vinden and German finden .