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find

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verb [transitive] American English pronunciation: find /faɪnd/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theyfind
he/she/itfinds
present participlefinding
past tensefound
past participlefound
 
  1. 1
    to discover something, or to see where it is by searching for it

    The police have found a weapon.

    Illegal drugs were found in the singer’s luggage.

    Did you find your shoes?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  findThesaurus entry for this meaning of find
    1. a.
      to discover something by chance

      Everyone dreams of finding something valuable in the attic.

      I finally found that CD I’ve been looking for!

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  findThesaurus entry for this meaning of find
    2. b.
      to discover or notice something

      We arrived to find the house in darkness.

      find someone doing something:

      I found her wandering the streets in a complete daze.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  findThesaurus entry for this meaning of find
    3. c.
      to discover a fact or piece of information

      We hope to find the answers to some of these questions.

      No explanation for this phenomenon has yet been found.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  findThesaurus entry for this meaning of find
    4. d.
      to suddenly discover or realize something
      find (that):

      I put my hand into my pocket and found I’d left my keys at home.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  findThesaurus entry for this meaning of find
  2. 2
    to get something

    Have you found a place to live yet?

    find work/employment/a job:

    It is very difficult for young people in this area to find work.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  findThesaurus entry for this meaning of find
  3. 3
    to experience an emotion that you have not experienced in the past

    He found happiness late in life with his second wife.

    Doug finally found the courage to speak.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  findThesaurus entry for this meaning of find
    1. a.
      to experience something in a particular way
      find something difficult/frightening/relaxing etc.:

      William now finds walking very difficult.

      find someone attractive/irritating etc.:

      Men always found her extremely attractive.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  findThesaurus entry for this meaning of find
  5. 5
    to make a formal decision about something after listening to all the facts
    find (that):

    The court found that the company was in breach of its contract.

    find someone guilty/not guilty:

    He was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison.

    find for someone/in someone’s favor (=decide that someone is right):

    After three hours of deliberation, the jury found in our favor.

    find against someone (=decide that someone is wrong):

    The court found against the plaintiff.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  findThesaurus entry for this meaning of find
  6. 6
    if you find the time or money to do something, you have enough time or money to do it

    We have to find some extra money by Friday.

    I never seem to find time to read these days.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  findThesaurus entry for this meaning of find

phrases

phrasal verbs

This is the American English definition of find. View British English definition of find.

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