find definition

1. come upon, as if by accident; meet with
• examples: We find this idea in Plato
• examples: I happened upon the most wonderful bakery not very far from here
• examples: She chanced upon an interesting book in the bookstore the other day
2. come upon after searching; find the location of something that was missed or lost
• examples: Did you find your glasses?
• examples: I cannot find my gloves!
3. come to believe on the basis of emotion, intuitions, or indefinite grounds
• examples: I feel that he doesn't like me
• examples: I find him to be obnoxious
• examples: I found the movie rather entertaining
4. obtain through effort or management
• examples: She found the time and energy to take care of her aging parents
• examples: We found the money to send our sons to college
5. perceive oneself to be in a certain condition or place
• examples: I found myself in a difficult situation
• examples: When he woke up, he found himself in a hospital room
6. succeed in reaching; arrive at
• examples: The arrow found its mark
7. accept and make use of one's personality, abilities, and situation
• examples: My son went to Berkeley to find himself