find

To discover something or see where it is, especially after looking for it.

• I cannot find my keys.
• She found a quiet place to read.
• Have you found the missing book?

Similar words: locate, discover

Opposites: lose

Common phrases: find something, find a job, find your keys

To think that someone or something has a particular quality, usually after experiencing them.

• I find this book interesting.
• She found the journey tiring.
• Do you find it difficult to sleep here?

How to use it: find someone/something + adjective (I find this chair uncomfortable.); find it + adjective + to do something (She finds it hard to say no.); find that… (I find that the evenings here are peaceful.)

Similar words: consider, think, regard

Common phrases: find something difficult, find someone helpful, find it strange

To locate something that another person needs or wants.

• I will find you a seat.
• She found her brother a job.
• Can you find a room for us?

How to use it: find someone something (We found her a comfortable chair.); find something for someone (He found a flat for his sister.)

Similar words: locate, get

Common phrases: find someone work, find someone accommodation, find something for someone

To learn something through careful study, tests, or experiments.

• Scientists found a new kind of fish.
• The study found that sleep improves memory.
• No harmful chemicals were found in the water.

How to use it: find that… (Researchers found that the plants needed less water.); be found to + verb (The treatment was found to reduce pain.)

Similar words: discover, establish, determine

Common phrases: find a link, find evidence, find a cause

To notice and point out something wrong with a person or their work.

• He always finds fault with my cooking.
• They found several faults in the design.
• Can you find anything wrong with this answer?

How to use it: find fault with someone/something (She finds fault with every plan we suggest.)

Similar words: point out, identify

Common phrases: find fault with, find faults, find something wrong

To officially decide something in a court case after considering the evidence.

• The jury found her guilty.
• The judge found for the tenant.
• Will the court find against the employer?

How to use it: find for/against someone (The court found against the company.); find someone guilty/not guilty (The jury found him not guilty.)

Similar words: rule, decide

Common phrases: find someone guilty, find for someone, find against someone

Something valuable or useful that someone discovers, often by chance.

• This cheap desk was a great find.
• Their latest find was an ancient gold ring.
• The museum displayed several important finds.

Similar words: discovery

Common phrases: a lucky find, a rare find, an exciting find