find

Formsfinds, finding, found

Pluralfinds

1. 1
   locateverbtransitive

   To discover or come across someone or something, either by searching or by chance.

   We need to find a hotel before dark.

   She found the file after an hour of searching.

   UsageUse look for while searching and find for the result: you look for your keys, then find them.

   Similardiscover, locate, spot, uncover

   Oppositelose

   Note

   The searching meaning matches the word's deep history. Old English findan goes back to a root meaning "to go, pass" or "path," so what is found is, in origin, what one's going reaches. The reflexive find oneself in a place echoes that picture of arriving somewhere. Source

   Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

   • Find descends from Old English findan, traced to Proto-Indo-European *pent-, meaning 'to go, pass; path, bridge'. en.wiktionary.org
2. 2
   verbusually passivetransitive

   To exist, live, or turn up in a certain place, thing, or group without being sought; usually used in the passive.

   Iron is found in spinach, beans, and red meat.

   You find the same distrust of outsiders in almost every small town in the region.

   UsageCommon patterns are be found in, commonly found in and found throughout. The active form usually has a general subject: you find.

   Note

   The language of field guides, textbooks and travel writing: the plant is found only in wet woodland, the gene is found in all mammals.

3. 3
   verb

   To conclude or form the opinion that someone or something is a certain way.

   Many readers find the ending too sad.

   He finds the work boring but the pay good.

   Similarconsider, deem, think, judge

   Note

   Opinion is presented as something discovered in the thing itself, which softens a judgment. The pattern is find + object + adjective, with no to be needed: Shakespeare's I find you passing gentle. Source

   Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

   • “I find you passing gentle” occurs in Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, Act II, Scene I; the speaker is Petruchio. gutenberg.org
4. 4
   learn by researchverb

   To establish or learn something through research or experiments aimed at a particular goal.

   After months of testing, the team found that the new coating could protect metal from extreme heat.

   Researchers consistently find that regular exercise lowers the risk of heart disease.

   UsageCommon frames: find that + clause, find X to be Y, and the passive was found to be.

   Similardiscover, determine, establish, show, ascertain

   Note

   What is reported comes from method, not personal impression. That separates it from the "consider" meaning, where I find it strange is simply an opinion.

5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To get, gain, or receive something, such as time, support, or a response.

   His proposal did not find a warm response from the board.

   The plan to turn the empty lot into a park found strong support among local residents.

   UsageCommon with time and support: find time to cook, find support among residents.

   Similarget, receive, gain, win, attract

6. 6
   verbtransitive

   Of a court, jury or official body, to formally decide or declare something, such as that a person is guilty, or to rule for or against a party.

   A grand jury must find a true bill before the trial.

   The court found in favor of the tenants and ordered the landlord to pay for the repairs.

   Usagefind someone guilty or not guilty. A court finds for the side that wins and against the side that loses.

   Similarrule, judge, declare, decide

   Note

   Courts and juries use the verb with the conclusion itself as object: a jury finds a verdict, and a grand jury finds a true bill of indictment against the accused. The object is what is declared true after weighing the evidence. Source

   Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

   • A grand jury may return a true bill of indictment against an accused person after considering the evidence. mnd.uscourts.gov

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