📒 to discover somebody/something unexpectedly or by chance
- find somebody/something Look what I've found!
- We've found a great new restaurant near the office.
- A man out walking his dog found the body in a ditch.
📒 to get back something/somebody that was lost after searching for it/them
- find somebody/something I can't find my keys.
- I thought I'd lost my wallet but I found it under my desk.
- I wanted to talk to him but he was nowhere to be found.
📒 to discover something/somebody by searching, studying or thinking carefully
- find something/somebody They found no evidence to support this claim.
- We found a way out.
- I managed to find a solution to the problem.
📒 to discover that something is true after you have tried it, tested it or experienced it
- find (that)… I find (that) it pays to be honest.
- A study found that green tea could be beneficial.
- You'll find your opinions change as you get older.
📒 to have a particular feeling or opinion about something
- find something + adj. You may find it hard to accept your illness.
- You may find your illness hard to accept.
- Do women find it more difficult to ask for a rise?
📒 used to say that something exists, grows, etc. somewhere
- be found + adv./prep. These flowers are found only in Africa.
- Further details can be found on our website.
- find something/somebody + adv./prep. You'll find this style of architecture all over the town.
📒 to discover somebody/something/yourself doing something or in a particular situation, especially when this is unexpected
- find somebody/something/yourself + adv./prep. She woke up and found herself in a hospital bed.
- I found the house in a mess.
- find somebody/something/yourself + adj. We came home and found him asleep on the sofa.
📒 to have something available so that you can use it
- I keep meaning to write, but never seem to find (the) time.
- How are we going to find £10 000 for a car?
📒 to show a quality in yourself, usually with an effort
- I found the courage to speak.
📒 to arrive at something naturally; to reach something/somebody
- Water will always find its own level.
- Most of the money finds its way to the people who need it.
- The criticism found its mark (= had the effect intended).
📒 to make a particular decision in a court case
- find somebody + adj. The jury found him guilty.
- How do you find the accused?
- find in somebody’s favour The court found in her favour.
📒 with free food and accommodation in addition to your wages
📒 to look for and discover mistakes in somebody/something; to complain about somebody/something
- My mother did nothing but find fault with my manners.
- She was always finding fault with his manners.
📒 to become able to act independently and with confidence
- I only recently joined the firm so I'm still finding my feet.
📒 to be able or willing to do something
- Can you find it in your heart to forgive her?
- He couldn't find it in himself to trust anyone again.
📒 to meet somebody who is equal to or even better than you in strength, skill or intelligence
- He thought he could beat anyone at chess but he’s met his match in Peter.
- I think he's finally met his match in Lisa.
- She knew she had met her match and tried to retreat.
📒 to be able to speak or express your opinion
📒 to discover the right route (to a place)
- I hope you can find your way home.
📒 to come to a place or a situation by chance or without intending to
- He eventually found his way into acting.
📒 impossible for anyone to find or see
- I wanted to talk to him but he was nowhere to be found.
- The children were nowhere to be seen.
- A peace settlement is nowhere in sight (= is not likely in the near future).
📒 to accept somebody as they are without expecting them to behave in a special way or have special qualities