find
find
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "find" is /faɪnd/.
/faɪnd/
Word Form Variations
Verb: find (base form), finds (third-person singular present), finding (present participle), found (past tense, past participle)
Noun: find (singular), finds (plural)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To discover or locate something or someone after a deliberate search or by chance.
Synonyms: discover, locate, unearth, detect, pinpoint
Antonyms: lose, miss, misplace
Example: She hopes to find a new job soon.
To realize or perceive something after consideration or experience; to come to an understanding.
Synonyms: realize, perceive, recognize, understand, determine
Antonyms: overlook, ignore, misunderstand
Example: He found the task more difficult than he had anticipated.
To succeed in obtaining or achieving something.
Synonyms: achieve, obtain, acquire, gain, secure
Antonyms: fail, lose, forfeit
Example: They worked hard to find success in their new venture.
To determine a verdict or judgment, especially in a legal context.
Synonyms: determine, rule, adjudge, declare
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific legal sense)
Example: The jury found the defendant guilty.
Noun
An act of finding something, especially something valuable or interesting.
Synonyms: discovery, acquisition, catch, prize
Antonyms: loss, misplacement
Example: The antique vase was a rare find.
Something that has been found, especially something of value or importance.
Synonyms: discovery, treasure, artifact, prize
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific sense)
Example: The archaeological finds at the site were remarkable.
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was a dark and stormy night when she set out to find her destiny." (Attributed generally to common literary tropes, e.g., in adventure or fantasy novels, rather than a single specific work)
"Through his research, he hoped to find a cure for the rare disease." (Example of usage in scientific or medical non-fiction)
Newspapers:
"Police continue to find new evidence in the ongoing investigation into the bank robbery." (The Daily Herald, 2025)
"The city council aims to find a compromise on the contentious zoning proposal." (The Capital Gazette, 2025)
Online Publications:
"Five strategies to help you find your dream job in 2025." (Forbes.com, 2025)
"New study finds strong link between exercise and mental well-being." (Psychology Today online,, 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Movies: "Indiana Jones set out to find the lost Ark of the Covenant." (Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981)
Television Series: "In the latest episode, the detectives finally find the missing person." (Episode synopsis, Law & Order: SVU, Season 25, Episode 10, 2025)
Music: "I still haven't found what I'm looking for." (Song lyric, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2, 1987)
Video Games: "Your mission is to find and defeat the ancient dragon to save the kingdom." (Game objective, Elden Ring, 2022)
Podcasts: "Our guest today will discuss how to find your authentic voice in a crowded digital space." (Podcast episode description, The Creative Life Podcast, June 2025)
General Public Discourse:
"I need to find my keys before I leave." (Everyday conversation)
"Did you find anything interesting at the market today?" (Casual question)
"I always find his lectures to be incredibly insightful." (Personal opinion/evaluation)
"Let's try to find a solution to this problem together." (Collaborative discussion)
10 Famous Quotes Using Find
"Not all those who wander are lost." (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring) - While not explicitly using "find," this quote speaks to the idea of searching and discovering one's path, a core aspect of "finding."
"The unexamined life is not worth living." (Socrates) - This implies a journey of self-discovery, to "find" meaning and understanding in one's existence.
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." (Mahatma Gandhi) - This suggests an internal process of "finding" the will and courage to initiate transformation.
"You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." (Mark Twain) - Metaphorically, this refers to the inability to "find" clear understanding or inspiration without a focused mind.
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." (Ralph Waldo Emerson) - This speaks to the challenge of "finding" and maintaining one's true identity.
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." (Lao Tzu) - This implies the initiation of a process through which one might "find" a destination or goal.
"Where there is love there is life." (Mahatma Gandhi) - This implies that life itself is "found" or thrives in the presence of love.
"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." (John Lennon) - This quote suggests that the true essence of life often "finds" you unexpectedly.
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle." (Steve Jobs) - A direct and powerful quote emphasizing the search to "find" one's passion.
"If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration." (Nikola Tesla) - A direct quote encouraging a specific approach to "finding" profound knowledge.
Etymology
The word "find" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots back to ancient languages!
In simple terms, "find" comes from a very old family of words that generally meant "to come upon," "to meet with," or "to discover."
Its earliest known use in English dates back to the Old English period (before 1150 AD). At that time, it was "findan." The meaning was quite similar to today: "to come upon, meet with; discover; obtain by search or study."
If we go even further back in time, "findan" came from a Proto-Germanic word called "finþaną." This earlier word also carried the sense of "to come upon" or "to discover."
Interestingly, some linguists believe that this Proto-Germanic word might ultimately link back to a much older Proto-Indo-European root, "*pent-", which meant "to tread" or "to go." The idea here is that the act of "going" or "treading a path" could lead to "finding" something along the way. While there are some debates among experts about this very ancient connection, it offers a fascinating glimpse into how language evolves.
So, in essence, "find" has always been about the act of discovering something, whether by actively looking for it or by simply stumbling upon it.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Find
Find your feet: To become confident or comfortable in a new situation.
Find fault with: To criticize or complain about something or someone.
Find common ground: To discover a basis of agreement or mutual understanding.
Find your voice: To gain the confidence to express your opinions or feelings.
Find your calling/niche: To discover the type of work or activity that one is best suited for and enjoys.
Find yourself: To discover one's true character or identity, often after a period of self-reflection or exploration.
Find it in your heart: To be able to be kind or forgiving, even when difficult.
Find out: To discover information.
Come to find out: An informal way of saying "to discover later" or "to realize."
Easy come, easy go, but hard to find: (Lesser-known, emphasizing the difficulty of acquiring something valuable)
Seek and ye shall find: (Biblical idiom, encouraging perseverance in search)
To unearth a gem: (Idiom using a synonym for "find," meaning to discover something valuable)
To stumble upon a treasure: (Idiom using a synonym for "find," meaning to discover something by chance)
To strike gold: (Idiom using a synonym for "find," meaning to achieve sudden success or discover something very valuable)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of find from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
