1Discover or perceive by chance or unexpectedly.

1. 1.1 Discover (someone or something) after a deliberate search.
   in this climate it could be hard to find a buyer

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Adams immediately telephoned the police but when officers searched the area they found nothing.
   • She figured that the next best thing for her to do would be to find a phone and call Alexia.
   • We are in the process of finding a new FBI director.
   • As the hunt for Smith extends into a second year what are the chances he will be found?
   • More bodies may yet be found, in what ranks as the UK's most serious accident at work in many years.
   • The couple still send their daughter text messages in the hope of receiving a reply, but police have now warned there is little chance of finding her alive.
   • She is offering a reward to the person who finds him.
   • With this many choices, nobody should ever have a problem finding something to watch!
   • They said it was a drug search, but they found nothing and damaged everything.
   • She turned the T.V. on and started flicking through channels, not finding anything good to watch.
   • Finally I pieced it all together in my mind and went about the process of finding everything I needed.
   • Wolf strained his eyes a little but finally found who John was pointing at.
   • A €150 reward is available for the person who finds him.
   • A domain name is your internet dot com address, it's how people find you on the web.
   • With his accomplices he then moved on to Jean and Adrian's bedroom where he found the safe and its key.
   • If he could land, he'd stand a better chance of being found in the jet than lying in the desert.
   • When you arrive at your destination find a cool shady place and keep the cool box there.
   • We could always find something to watch, even if it was just old repeats of Changing Rooms or Time Team.
   • Apparently this is even better, as it means they'll easily find somewhere to park.
   • Each answer can be found by searching on the Web, or digging deep in your mind.

   Synonyms

   locate, spot, pinpoint, unearth, obtain, detect, put one's finger on

   retrieve, recover, get back, regain, repossess, recoup, recuperate, reclaim
2. 1.2find oneself Discover oneself to be in a surprising or unexpected situation.
   phobia sufferers often find themselves virtual prisoners in their own home

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He did however win some support in his retort to one opponent ‘when you've found yourself in the same situation as me, then we can argue over this’.
   • Of course, there is much anger and confusion, suspicion and mistrust among fans as to why the club has found itself in this do-or-die situation.
   • Have you ever found yourself in a situation that embarrassed you and it was not by any means your fault?
   • At age 14, she found herself a national and international heroine, and graced the covers of Sports Illustrated and Newsweek Magazine.
   • In this situation, parody finds itself without a vocation; it has lived, and that strange new thing pastiche comes to take its place.
   • If they didn't buy all those fancy things, they wouldn't find themselves on the verge of bankruptcy.
   • Over the past few months, I've found myself in some tricky situations because of email.
   • That is a situation Chorley have found themselves in many times over the last couple of years.
   • They misread the situation and found themselves, along with others who did so, excommunicated by the rest of the world.
   • Although she was lucky not to have been separated from her son, Noreen was shocked by the situation they found themselves in.
   • He tells them often about the privileged situation they have found themselves in.
   • I find myself very much in agreement with the underlying principles of the bill.
   • How do you think that you would act if you found yourself in a situation where your wife/husband was having an affair repeatedly?
   • Mr Whaley, however, insisted he had just done what anyone else would have if they had found themselves in that situation.
   • In 1999, he found himself at the heart of Government when he was invited to cater for an Anglo-Italian summit.
   • Mr Parkin said another problem was that officers now found themselves in more aggressive situations.
   • Mum perches on the edge of Thomas's bed and laughs at the outrageous situation we've found ourselves in.
   • Mum Julie says that if her daughter had known where to go for advice she might not have found herself in this situation.
   • She suddenly found herself alone on Friday nights watching sappy movies and crying her eyes out.
   • A series of jobs followed, until, inexorably, he found himself back where he started, behind the counter at a Chinese takeaway.
3. 1.3 Succeed in obtaining (something)
   she also found the time to raise five children

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Those who do not expect to succeed can always find an excuse to cover their faults.
   • Despite her increasingly demanding schedule, Samantha insisted she still finds time for herself.
   • "We want people to ultimately find comfort in the songs, " says Gustafson.
   • Dolly comes to the countryside to regain her stability and find happiness with her kids.
   • Football has given the world's poor a chance to succeed and find a place in the sun.
   • People often find their inspiration from utterly mundane things.
   • The second quarter drew a total blank on the scoreboard as neither side succeeded in finding the range against tight marking defenders.
   • They still haven't found enough money to pay the people who worked for them full-time.
   • We have tried, in fact, to find a diplomatic way out that would achieve the same objectives without going to war.
   • Outside work, Maxine also finds the time to help run a business club and enjoys aerobics and swimming.
   • Some CEOs seek counseling; others find solace in those closer to the office.
   • It was definitely a challenge to find enough time to train, race, and work on my thesis.
   • While work keeps her busy, she nevertheless finds time to surf the net.
   • She also finds time to record a documentary about the people within her town.
   • He ran over to her and told her first thing to hide and find shelter.
   • If he did decide to emigrate, would he actually find happiness elsewhere?
   • For whatever reason, I still did not find comfort in his arms.
   • Some find solace in campaigning and others want nothing to do with it.
   • One way for young writers to succeed is to find new angles and ways to treat the same theme.
   • They could both find temporary solace, but they'd feel awkward and distant afterwards.

   Synonyms

   obtain, acquire, get, procure, come by, secure, gain, earn, achieve, attain, lay hold of, come to have, win
4. 1.4 Summon up (a quality, especially courage) with an effort.
   I found the courage to speak

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He finds just enough courage to annoy Billy Jack and get his throat crushed in an awesome display of Billy Jack's prowess in the martial arts.
   • Amid her grief she found the strength to organise a support group for the bereaved partners.
   • When eventually the necessary courage can be found, the car's ready to respond.
   • It's hard to find the will to carry on sometimes.
   • Becoming motivated to overcome the fears of change allows you to find the courage to succeed.

   Synonyms

   summon, summon up, gather, muster, muster up, screw up, command, call up, rally
5. 1.5no object (of hunters or hounds) discover game, especially a fox.
   she heard the new halloo—they had found

   Example sentencesExamples

   • This means that when some hounds are dragging or have found, the rest either never get to them or run in straggled batches.
   • Hounds moved off to draw Pinner Wood, where they found and went away across Hallows Farm, down Mapley and ran swiftly to Lannersmead, where he went to ground.
   • Hounds soon found at Red Deer Plantation.

2Recognize or discover (something) to be present.

1. 2.1 Become aware of; discover to be the case.
   the majority of staff find the magazine to be informative and useful

   with clause she found that none of the local nursery schools had an available slot

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He's also found that the people he's met here remind him greatly of those he knew back home.
   • Overall, visitors to Atlanta will find it to be a pleasant and exciting travel destination.
   • And people often find these jobs have no less pressure than the City, so what's the point?
   • She found to her dismay that no native Indian fish had been mentioned in any of them.
   • Upon waking, I found that I had kicked all the blankets off and was covered in sweat.
   • You will likely find that different user constituencies have very different needs and goals.
   • So it is unexpected to find her new novel set in Victorian times and concerned with a music-hall act.
   • All of them, he finds, had an ability to create or adopt new technology faster and better than their peers.
   • When she did return at last, she found to her dismay, that they had moved away.
   • It was a great surprise to buy a copy by chance and find the Evening Press is now lively and informative.
   • As Dickie found to his dismay, the internet has changed all that.
   • Well, we find also that air quality has an impact on the size of the raindrops.
   • When James I succeeded Elizabeth, he found his new kingdom at war with Spain in support of the Dutch.
2. 2.2 Ascertain (something) by study, calculation, or inquiry.
   a forum that attempts to find solutions for multimedia publishers

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The survey also finds a high correlation between overcrowding and incidents of fighting between students.
   • Now researchers are finding that the land of Nod may be especially difficult to reach for women.
   • ESA's Huygens probe, arriving at Titan in 2005, will help find answers.
   • Drinking adequate amounts of water has been found to have various benefits.
   • A small study found this herb helpful in easing menopausal symptoms, including sexual difficulties.
   • My own study of Van Diemen's Land finds that this objective was largely realised.
   • Researchers found a simple solution that can double the shelf life of proteas and can especially benefit the export market.
   • In addition, oestrogen has been found to improve quality of life in the short term.
   • Recent studies found that acidic solutions could increase the flow throughout the stems after 40 min of flushing.
   • The researchers found a solution that is not seen every day.

   Synonyms

   discover, think of, invent, come up with, hit on, turn up, bring to light, uncover, unearth, ferret out
3. 2.3find oneself Discover the fundamental truths about one's own character and identity.
   I did psychotherapy for years—I wanted to find myself

   Example sentencesExamples

   • I didn't need a semester abroad to meet new people and ‘find myself.’
   • In the time shortly after her revelation she not only ‘found herself’ she also found out who her true friends were.
4. 2.4 Perceive or experience (something) to be the case.
   with object and complement both men found it difficult to put ideas into words

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Dare I ask what it is you find most objectionable about this socialist paradise?
   • Many couples find it hard to take the time to talk together properly.
   • Yes, this is a completely useless story, but I found it amusing.
   • I don't know what they find so amusing about that exactly.
   • People find it very amusing to make fun of his stupidity.
   • I still couldn't come to grips with him being so different, but I found his differences interesting.
   • They call me "creepy quiet guy", which I find amusing.
   • I think the University certainly has the right, and sometimes the moral obligation, to speak out against speech that it finds offensive.
   • There was no particular aspect of the course she found appealing; she simply enrolled.
   • Now don't you just find that fascinating?
   • Within hours of joining, she found the job easy and decided to attend work daily.
   • Yet while watching it, I didn't find it as funny as expected.
   • Perhaps someday he will share with us what he finds appealing about the idea.
   • Also, researchers find this tool easy to use and effective in gaining quick rapport with local people.
   • Ms Reed is hoping that once she has graduated she will be able to find a job as interesting.
   • Many couples find it invaluable to have one or two people taking care of everything.
   • Days slipped by, and Rusty found it easier to wake up each day.
   • Doctors and scientists find it almost impossible to write consent forms for research that most patients can understand.

   Synonyms

   consider, think, believe to be, hold to be, feel to be, look on as, view as, see as, take to be, take for, judge, deem, gauge, rate, regard as, reckon, suppose, account, interpret as, esteem
5. 2.5Law (of a court) officially declare to be the case.
   with object and complement he was found guilty of speeding

   with clause the court found that a police lab expert had fabricated evidence

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Hayes denied knowingly importing drugs but a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court found him guilty.
   • The Court finds the plaintiffs and their children were wrongfully evicted and they are entitled to whatever damages they suffered as a result.
   • Accordingly, the court finds that the defendant owes the full amount to the plaintiff.
   • This section applies if a court finds an adult guilty of an indictable offence.
   • He denied the rape when he appeared at Luton Crown Court but was found guilty and sentenced to seven years on Monday.
   • Thus a crown court which finds that the police have acted in contravention of the Convention as regards a defendant in a criminal trial has no power to award damages to the defendant.
   • The jury at Glasgow High Court found him not guilty of two other charges of abusing a third boy and a young girl.
   • There is no way on the material that the court could find that the defendants were the cause of the loss of value.
   • The Supreme Court found that there was a duty of care owed by all but one of the particular defendants.
   • The tribunal found one of the three charges proved and ordered that Mr Baker be reprimanded.

   Synonyms

   judge, adjudge, adjudicate, deem, rule, hold, consider, count, rate, reckon, see as

3(of a thing) reach or arrive at, either of its own accord or without the human agent being known.

1. 3.1find one's way Reach one's destination by one's own efforts, without knowing in advance how to get there.
   he found his way to the front door

   Example sentencesExamples

   • So, taking the few things he could call his own, he found his way to a traveling circus that would have him.
   • We wandered around downtown and found our way to the red-light district.
   • We found our way to the room, went in and sat down.
   • Most of them found their way into schools and abandoned houses in the town.
   • Soon, the trio had found their way into a dark conference room where Robert and Dan were standing at the far end of a long table.
   • Eventually, they found their way to Britain and lived as refugees.
   • Me and Chris wandered aimlessly, found our way to Claire's house, went in while they were out, and ate their food.
   • They eventually found their way to high ground with just what they were wearing.
   • Joe's ears buzzed as if two angry bees found their way into them.
   • They somehow found their way to Sydney and sought out help from the city's Afghan / Iranian communities.
   • I found my way to Liam McFaul, the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection Of Birds) warden, by asking a string of his relatives how to get to his house.
   • Unusually, they had found their way to the north bank of the Humber, possibly through trade with the East Yorkshire Parisi tribe.
   • Yesterday as planned we hired a van, drove to Perth through the blizzards and found our way to McCash's Country Store.
   • We were trying to run but we couldn't breathe or see, I don't know how I found my way to the hatch.
   • Using this light, the two women found their way into the pyramid area.
   • And so Raquel and I parted company, she hopped on to a number 22 bus toward Harbor View and I found my way to the number 70 and 75 bus terminus.
   • Other people gradually found their way to this venue.
   • Turning her head she searched the room again, praying that Jabin or Mitsos had found their way into the inn.
   • Local kids were quickest, though, and had found their way into the cave and removed some pots.
   • About an eighth of our audience had also found their way to the pub.
2. 3.2find one's way Come to be in a certain situation.
   each and every boy found his way into a suitable occupation

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Between Factory Cafe (on Christopher Street) and Big Cup, I gained a lot of wisdom, met some great guys, and found my way into the life I currently live and love.
   • Later, while working for an ad agency, he found his way into comic books, which had been a lifetime obsession.
   • But when you were doing that kind of work, was it what you needed to do to pay the bills at that time until you found your way into what you truly loved?
   • When she's not around, your job is usually to find her, even though the game hints that wherever she is, she's found her way into a situation far worse than the one you're in now.
   • Jeremy Brett found his way into his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes by giving the original stories the first close reading they'd had by an actor in many years.
   • I'm sure that a number of dogmatic moral absolutists have indeed found their way into the pacifist campus left.
   • France's modernizing elements found their way into the resistance movement that emerged.
   • It created a lot of visibility, but as I found my way to what I am interested in, it can be something of a hurdle, because its hard to crack that tag of ‘spirituality.’
   • Even if we had chosen not to allow the player to play Delphi or Kabuto, I think they would have still found their way into the story.
   • At times such as these, it's easy to wonder whether you have at last found your way to paradise.
   • The Demons were led by several players who had found their way to the club via other AFL clubs.
3. 3.3 (of a letter) reach (someone).
   Example sentencesExamples

   • I'd love to contact this girl because she was really sweet and I hope this letter will find her.
   • I pray that this letter finds you in good health and I hope that your response comes back in time.
   • I hope this letter finds you happy and in good health.
   • I hope this letter finds you exceptionally fine.
   • Dear Husband, Hoping this letter finds you better than it leaves us.
   • I hope that this letter finds you in good spirits.
   • If this letter finds you in time, he will be leaving the port on September 20, 1893, at eight in the evening.
   • I hope this letter finds you well and in good health, and the enclosed necklace will keep you from harm that isn't inevitable.
   • That's all I have to say and I hope this letter finds you in good health.
4. 3.4archaic Reach the understanding or conscience of (someone)
   the books of which I have been speaking found me and taught me

1A discovery of something valuable, typically something of archaeological interest.

1. 1.1 A person who is discovered to be useful or interesting in some way.
   Paul had been a real find—he could design the whole hotel complex

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Rookie of the year Evgeni Nabokov, 26, was a real find.
   • Emile Hirsch is the protagonist (and quite a find, a teenager coming out of nowhere to dominate the movie).
   • But the real acting finds here are Jonathan Jackson and Katharine Isabelle.
   • Anna was a surprising find as Sieglinde, an attractive woman with a fine soprano voice.
   • Jones sincerely believed that everything was worthy of being architecture: he was a rare find.
   • Musa Smith and Onterrio Smith intrigue more than a few teams and could end up being the real finds in this year's crop.
   • He's truly a special find, but all of his advantages are cancelled out by his over-caring nature.

   Synonyms

   paragon, gem, angel, nonpareil
2. 1.2Hunting The finding of a fox.