find

findverb

To find is to come to have or to know something, by looking, by chance, or by experience.

1. after lookingdiscover where someone or something is, after looking for them

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • I can't find my keys. V + obj
   • Did you find what you were looking for? V + obj
   • They found the missing child in the woods. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun find your keys, find a seat, find your way

   adverb + verb finally find, easily find

   Synonyms discover

   Compare look for (look for is the searching; find is the success)

2. by chancediscover someone or something by chance

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + adjective [V + obj + adj]

   • I found a coin in the street. V + obj
   • She came home and found the door open. V + obj + adj
   • We found him asleep on the sofa. V + obj + adj

   Collocations

   verb + noun find a coin, find a body

   phrase find something open, find someone asleep

3. getget something that you need, such as time, money, or a job

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + two objects [V + obj + obj]

   • I can't find the time to exercise. V + obj
   • He found a job at a bank. V + obj
   • We need to find a way to pay for it. V + obj
   • Her uncle found her a place to stay. V + obj + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun find time, find a job, find the money, find a way, find a solution

4. learnlearn or become aware of something, often by experience

   transitive [T] verb + that-clause [V + that] verb + object + adjective [V + obj + adj]

   • She soon found that living alone was not easy. V + that
   • You'll find that the work gets easier. V + that
   • When I woke up, I found it was already noon. V + that

   Collocations

   phrase find that, be surprised to find

5. have an opinionhave a particular feeling or opinion about someone or something because of your experience

   transitive [T] verb + object + adjective [V + obj + adj] verb + object + noun complement [V + obj + noun]

   • Did you find the book interesting? V + obj + adj
   • She finds it hard to sleep at night. V + obj + adj
   • I find him very easy to talk to. V + obj + adj
   • I found the film a bit of a disappointment. V + obj + noun

   Collocations

   phrase find it hard to, find it easy to, find something interesting, find something difficult

6. in courtdecide officially in a court of law whether someone is guilty

   transitive [T] verb + object + adjective [V + obj + adj] law

   • The jury found him not guilty. V + obj + adj
   • She was found guilty of stealing. V + obj + adj (passive)

   Collocations

   phrase find someone guilty, find someone not guilty, be found guilty of something

7. existexist or grow in a particular place

   transitive [T] usually passive [usually passive]

   • This kind of tree is found in many parts of the world. usually passive
   • These birds are found only near the sea. usually passive

   Collocations

   phrase be found in, be found only in

See also find out