1find 
/ˈfaɪnd/ verb
finds; found /ˈfaɪnd/ verb /ˈfaʊnd/; find·ing 1 [+ obj] a : to discover (something or someone) without planning or trying to : to discover (something or someone) by chance
▪ He found a dollar on the ground. ▪ The well diggers found a number of Native American artifacts. ▪ She finds [=meets] interesting people wherever she goes.
b ◊Something or someone that is found in a specified place exists there or lives there.
▪ Many artifacts can be found in this area. [=there are many artifacts in this area] ▪ Polar bears are found in the Northern Hemisphere. 2 [+ obj] : to get or discover (something or someone that you are looking for)
▪ After an hour of searching, I finally found my glasses. ▪ find a missing person ▪ We need to find a suitable person for the job. ▪ I found a job for him. = I found him a job. ▪ My glasses are nowhere to be found. = I can't find my glasses. 3 [+ obj] a : to discover or learn (something) by studying about it
▪ She found the answer at last. ▪ They claim to have found a more efficient way to run the business. ▪ researchers trying to find a cure for cancer
b : to get (something needed or wanted) by effort
▪ You must find time to do it. ▪ I found a way to pay for college without taking out any loans. ▪ She found the courage to address the crowd. ▪ 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] 4 [+ obj] a : to regard (someone or something you have met, seen, experienced, etc.) in a specified way
▪ I found him (to be) a very sensible man. = I found him very sensible. ▪ Students often find this book (to be) useful. ▪ I find it hard to concentrate [=it is hard for me to concentrate] with that music playing. ▪ The travel arrangements were found wanting. [=the travel arrangements were criticized]
b : to be affected by (something) in a specified way
▪ He finds laughing/laughter painful. = He finds it painful to laugh.
c : to feel (a pleasing emotion)
▪ He finds pleasure in her company. ▪ They didn't win, but the team found some satisfaction in having played so well. 5 [+ obj] a : to discover (someone) in a specified state
▪ He found them waiting for him. ▪ I found her relaxing by the pool. ▪ He was found dead the next morning. ▪ The crisis found them unprepared. [=they were unprepared when the crisis occurred]
b : to become aware that you are doing something or that you are in a particular place or situation
▪ I often find myself thinking about her. ▪ When he awoke, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. [=he saw that he was in an unfamiliar room] ▪ I found myself agreeing with him. [=I found that I agreed with him] 6 [+ obj] : to begin to have (something)
▪ The new product found few buyers. [=few people bought it] ▪ It took a while before his unusual brand of comedy found an audience. ▪ These ideas have found approval/favor [=been accepted; become well-liked] among many young people. ▪ His doctrines found acceptance [=were accepted] among scholars. 7 law a [+ obj] : to make a decision about the guilt or innocence of (someone)
▪ The jury found her guilty. ▪ She was found innocent.
b : to decide the result of a court case [+ obj] ▪ The jury found a verdict of guilty. [no obj] ▪ The jury found for the defendant. [=the jury's decision was in favor of the defendant] ▪ The jury found against her.
▪ He found a dollar on the ground. ▪ The well diggers found a number of Native American artifacts. ▪ She finds [=meets] interesting people wherever she goes.
b ◊Something or someone that is found in a specified place exists there or lives there.
▪ Many artifacts can be found in this area. [=there are many artifacts in this area] ▪ Polar bears are found in the Northern Hemisphere.
▪ After an hour of searching, I finally found my glasses. ▪ find a missing person ▪ We need to find a suitable person for the job. ▪ I found a job for him. = I found him a job. ▪ My glasses are nowhere to be found. = I can't find my glasses.
▪ She found the answer at last. ▪ They claim to have found a more efficient way to run the business. ▪ researchers trying to find a cure for cancer
b : to get (something needed or wanted) by effort
▪ You must find time to do it. ▪ I found a way to pay for college without taking out any loans. ▪ She found the courage to address the crowd. ▪ 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]
▪ I found him (to be) a very sensible man. = I found him very sensible. ▪ Students often find this book (to be) useful. ▪ I find it hard to concentrate [=it is hard for me to concentrate] with that music playing. ▪ The travel arrangements were found wanting. [=the travel arrangements were criticized]
b : to be affected by (something) in a specified way
▪ He finds laughing/laughter painful. = He finds it painful to laugh.
c : to feel (a pleasing emotion)
▪ He finds pleasure in her company. ▪ They didn't win, but the team found some satisfaction in having played so well.
▪ He found them waiting for him. ▪ I found her relaxing by the pool. ▪ He was found dead the next morning. ▪ The crisis found them unprepared. [=they were unprepared when the crisis occurred]
b : to become aware that you are doing something or that you are in a particular place or situation
▪ I often find myself thinking about her. ▪ When he awoke, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. [=he saw that he was in an unfamiliar room] ▪ I found myself agreeing with him. [=I found that I agreed with him]
▪ The new product found few buyers. [=few people bought it] ▪ It took a while before his unusual brand of comedy found an audience. ▪ These ideas have found approval/favor [=been accepted; become well-liked] among many young people. ▪ His doctrines found acceptance [=were accepted] among scholars.
▪ The jury found her guilty. ▪ She was found innocent.
b : to decide the result of a court case [+ obj] ▪ The jury found a verdict of guilty. [no obj] ▪ The jury found for the defendant. [=the jury's decision was in favor of the defendant] ▪ The jury found against her.
find common cause — see 1cause
find fault
: to criticize someone or something
▪ No matter what she did, her husband was always finding fault. — usually + with ▪ Her husband found fault with everything she did. — see also faultfinder
▪ No matter what she did, her husband was always finding fault. — usually + with ▪ Her husband found fault with everything she did. — see also faultfinder
find its mark/target
: to hit a target that was aimed for
▪ The bullet found its mark. — often used figuratively ▪ Her angry reaction showed that his criticisms had found their mark.
▪ The bullet found its mark. — often used figuratively ▪ Her angry reaction showed that his criticisms had found their mark.
find out [phrasal verb] 1 find out (something) : to learn (something) by making an effort
▪ I'd like to find out more about the school's psychology program. ▪ We need to find out where the meeting is being held. ▪ I don't know when the game starts, but I'll find out. 2 find out about (something) : to become aware of (something)
▪ Her mother found out about her smoking habit. 3 find (someone) out : to learn the unpleasant truth about (someone)
▪ He pretended to be a respectable citizen, but we found him out at last. ▪ Luckily, he was found out before he could do any harm.
▪ I'd like to find out more about the school's psychology program. ▪ We need to find out where the meeting is being held. ▪ I don't know when the game starts, but I'll find out.
▪ Her mother found out about her smoking habit.
▪ He pretended to be a respectable citizen, but we found him out at last. ▪ Luckily, he was found out before he could do any harm.
find your bearings — see bearing
find yourself
: to learn what you truly value and want in life
▪ He left school and traveled to Europe, saying that he wanted to find himself.
▪ He left school and traveled to Europe, saying that he wanted to find himself.
find your voice
: to begin speaking or expressing your thoughts : to be able to speak or to express yourself as a writer
▪ I couldn't speak for a moment, but then I found my voice. ▪ a young novelist who has found her voice
▪ I couldn't speak for a moment, but then I found my voice. ▪ a young novelist who has found her voice
find your way 1 : to look for and find where you need to go in order to get somewhere
▪ I found my way home without any problems. ▪ She got lost trying to find her way back to the hotel. — often used figuratively ▪ He's still finding his way as an actor. [=he's still learning what he needs to do to succeed as an actor] 2 : to go or arrive somewhere by chance or after a time of wandering
▪ The settlers eventually found their way to California.
▪ I found my way home without any problems. ▪ She got lost trying to find her way back to the hotel. — often used figuratively ▪ He's still finding his way as an actor. [=he's still learning what he needs to do to succeed as an actor]
▪ The settlers eventually found their way to California.
