find
to discover, especially where a thing or person is, either unexpectedly or by searching, or to discover where to get or how to achieve something
I've just found a ten-pound note in my pocket.
Oxford Essential Dictionary
find
verb (finds, finding, found /, has found)
1 to see or get something after looking or trying:
I can't find my glasses.
She hasn't found a job yet.
Has anybody found the answer to this question?
2 to see or get something that you did not expect:
I found some money in the street.
I woke up and found myself in hospital.
3 used for talking about your opinion or experience:
I didn't find that book very interesting.
He finds it difficult to sleep at night.
find something out to get information about something:
Can you find out what time the train leaves?
Has she found out that you broke the window?
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
find
I. find1 S1 W1 /faɪnd/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle found /faʊnd/) [transitive]
[Language: Old English; Origin: findan]
1. GET BY SEARCHING to discover, see, or get something that you have been searching for:
I can’t find the car keys.
Hold on while I find a pen.
Her body was later found hidden in the bushes.
I have to find somewhere else to live.
She had almost given up hope of finding a husband.
find somebody something
Tony asked us to find him office facilities in New York.
Her mother went to the shops, and on her return, Kathleen was nowhere to be found (=could not be found).
2. SEE BY CHANCE to discover something by chance, especially something useful or interesting:
I found a purse in the street.
We found a nice pub near the hotel.
3. DISCOVER STATE OF SOMEBODY/SOMETHING to discover that someone or something is in a particular condition or doing a particular thing when you see or touch them:
I’m sure we’ll find her hard at work when we get home.
He tried the door and found it unlocked.
She woke to find a man by her bed.
find somebody/something doing something
Often he found her quietly weeping alone.
find (that)
She looked at her glass and was amazed to find it was empty.
4. DO SOMETHING WITHOUT MEANING TO to be in a particular state or do a particular thing, or to realize that this is happening, especially when you did not expect or intend it:
After wandering around, we found ourselves back at the hotel.
find yourself/your mind etc doing something
When he left, Karen found herself heaving a huge sigh of relief.
She tried to concentrate, but found her mind drifting back to Alex.
find (that)
He found he was shivering.
5. LEARN SOMETHING BY STUDY to discover or learn something by study, tests, sums etc:
The federal government isn’t doing enough to find a cure.
How do you find the square root of 20?
be found to do something
The liquid was found to contain 7.4g of phenylamine.
find that
His study found that married men and women had similar spending patterns.
6. THINK/FEEL to have a particular feeling or opinion, or to have a particular feeling or opinion about someone or something:
Will Gary and Gail find happiness together?
find something/somebody easy/useful/interesting etc
She found the work very dull.
Lots of women I know find him attractive.
I found them quite easy to use.
find it hard/easy/difficult etc (to do something)
Hyperactive children find it difficult to concentrate.
7. EXPERIENCE to have the experience of discovering that something happens or is true
find (that)
You might find that his work improves now he’s at a new school.
I find people are often surprised at how little it costs.
find somebody/something doing something
I think you’ll find more women entering the film business now.
find somebody/something to be something
I found the people to be charming and very friendly.
8. EXIST IN A PLACEbe found somewhere if something is found somewhere, it lives or exists there naturally:
This species is only found in West Africa.
9. GET ENOUGH MONEY/TIME ETC to succeed in getting enough of something, especially money, time, or energy, to be able to do something:
He’s struggling to find the money for the trip.
Where are we going to find the time, the support, and the resources to do all this?
10. IN A COURT OF LAW to make an official decision in a court of law
find somebody guilty/not guilty (of something)
Both men were found guilty of illegally entering the country.
find in sb’s favour
The tribunal found in favour of the defendant.
11. find your way (somewhere) to reach a place by discovering the right way to get there:
Will you be able to find your way back?
12. find its way somewhere informal if something finds its way somewhere, it arrives or gets there after some time:
Her invention has found its way into the shops.
13. find comfort/pleasure/fulfilment etc in something to experience a good feeling because of something:
He eventually found solace in religion.
14. find fault with somebody/something to criticize someone or something, often unfairly and frequently:
He could always find fault with something, either in my writing or in my personality.
15. find it in your heart/yourself to do something literary to feel able or willing to do something:
Seb could not find it in his heart to tell Nahum.
16. find yourself informal to discover what you are really like and what you want to do – often used humorously:
She went to India to find herself.
17. find favour (with somebody/something) formal to be liked or approved of by someone:
The recipes rapidly found favour with restaurant owners.
18. find your feet to become confident in a new situation, especially one that is difficult at first:
Rob is still finding his feet as a coach.
19. find its mark/target
a) if a bullet, ↑arrow etc finds its mark etc, it hits what it is supposed to hit
b) if a remark, criticism etc finds its mark etc, it has the effect that you intended it to have:
She soon saw that her accusation had found its mark.
20. find your voice
a) (also find your tongue) to manage to say something after being too nervous to talk
b) if a writer, musician etc finds their voice, they are able to express their views, ideas, art etc in the way they want to:
a young film-maker who has finally found his voice
21. be found wanting formal to not be good enough:
Their defence was found wanting.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ find to get or see something that you have been searching for: Have you found your passport yet? | Police later found the car abandoned in a wood.
▪ discover to find something that was hidden or that people did not know about before: A second bomb has been discovered in south London.
▪ locate formal to find the exact position of something: The airline are still trying to locate my luggage. | Online maps make it easy to locate almost any place in the world.
▪ come across something to find something unexpectedly when you are not looking for it: I came across some old letters from my father in my drawer.
▪ stumble on/across something to find something unexpectedly, especially something very important: They may have stumbled across some vital evidence. | Completely by chance we had stumbled on the biggest hit of the year.
▪ trace to find someone or something that has disappeared, especially by a careful process of collecting information: She had given up all hope of tracing her missing daughter.
▪ track somebody/something down to find someone or something that is difficult to find by searching in different places: I’ve been trying to track down a book that’s out of print. | The police managed to track down the killer.
▪ unearth to find something that has been hidden or lost for a long time, by digging or searching for it: In 1796, a carved stone was unearthed near the burial mound.
find against somebody phrasal verb law
to judge that someone is wrong or guilty:
The inspectors are likely to find against the company.
find for somebody phrasal verb law
to judge that someone is right or not guilty:
The judge found for the plaintiff.
find out phrasal verb
1. to get information, after trying to discover it or by chance
find out who/what/how etc
Has anyone bothered to find out how much all this is going to cost?
find out if/whether
Did you find out whether there are any seats left?
find out (that)
I found out that my parents had never been married.
find something ↔ out
To find out more, visit our website.
find out (something) about something
I need to find out more about these night courses.
find out from
We could find out from the local council.
I thought it best to let you find out for yourself.
REGISTER
In written English, people usually say that someone discovers something rather than finds out something:
▪ Scientists soon discovered that this was false.
2. find somebody out [usually passive] if you are found out, someone discovers that you have been doing something dishonest or illegal ⇨ catch:
What happens if we get found out?
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
find
find [find finds found finding] verb, noun [faɪnd] [faɪnd]
verb (found, found [faʊnd] ; [faʊnd] )
BY CHANCE
1. transitive to discover sb/sth unexpectedly or by chance
• ~ sb/sth Look what I've found!
• We've found a great new restaurant near the office.
• ~ sb/sth + adj. A whale was found washed up on the shore.
BY SEARCHING
2. transitive to get back sth/sb that was lost after searching for it/them
• ~ sth for sb Can you find my bag for me?
• ~ sb sth Can you find me my bag?
• ~ sb/sth I wanted to talk to him but he was nowhere to be found.
• ~ sb/sth + adj. The child was found safe and well.
BY STUDYING/THINKING
3. transitive to discover sth/sb by searching, studying or thinking carefully
• ~ sth/sb scientists trying to find a cure for cancer
• I managed to find a solution to the problem.
• I'm having trouble finding anything new to say on this subject.
• Have they found anyone to replace her yet?
• ~ sth for sb Can you find a hotel for me?
• ~ sb sth Can you find me a hotel?
BY EXPERIENCE/TESTING
4. transitive to discover that sth is true after you have tried it, tested it or experienced it
• ~ (that)… I find (that) it pays to be honest.
• The report found that 30% of the firms studied had failed within a year.
• ~ sb/sth + adj./noun We found the beds very comfortable.
• ~ sb/sth to be/do sth They found him to be charming.
• Her blood was found to contain poison.
• it is found that… It was found that her blood contained poison.
HAVE OPINION/FEELING
5. transitive to have a particular feeling or opinion about sth
• ~ sth + adj. You may find your illness hard to accept.
• You may find it hard to accept your illness.
• I find it amazing that they're still together.
• ~ sth + noun She finds it a strain to meet new people.
HAVE/MAKE AVAILABLE
6. transitive ~ sth to have sth 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 £5 000 for a car?
IN UNEXPECTED SITUATIONS
7. transitive to discover sb/sth/yourself doing sth or in a particular situation, especially when this is unexpected
• ~ sb/sth/yourself + adv./prep. She woke up and found herself in a hospital bed.
• ~ sb/sth/yourself + adj. We came home and found him asleep on the sofa.
• ~ sb/sth/yourself doing sth I suddenly found myself running down the street.
• ~ (that)… I was disappointed to find that they had left already.
REACH
8. transitive ~ sth (of things) to arrive at sth naturally; to reach sth
• 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).
EXIST/GROW
9. transitive ~ sth + adv./prep. used to say that sth exists, grows, etc. somewhere
• These flowers are found only in Africa.
• You'll find this style of architecture all over the town.
IN COURT
10. transitive, intransitive (formal) to make a particular decision in a court case
• ~ sb + adj. The jury found him guilty.
• How do you find the accused?
• ~ in sb's favour The court found in her favour.
more at get/find/take your bearings at bearing, find/meet your match at match n., nowhere to be found/seen at nowhere
Verb forms:
Word Origin:
Old English findan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vinden and German finden.
Thesaurus:
find verb
1. T
• Look what I've found!
discover • • come across sb/sth • • stumble on/upon/across sb/sth • • catch • • turn sth up • • unearth • |formal come upon sb/sth •
find/discover/come across/catch sb doing sth
find/discover/unearth the remains (of sth)
find/discover/stumble upon sth by accident
2. T
• I can't find my keys.
trace • • track sb/sth down • • search sb/sth out • • locate • |informal sniff sb/sth out •
Opp: lose
find/track down/search out/locate sth for sb/sth
find/trace/track down/locate the missing…
find/trace/track down the killer/location
3. T
• Scientists are still trying to find a cure for cancer.
discover • • identify • • establish • |formal determine • • ascertain •
find/discover/identify/establish/determine/ascertain the cause
find/discover/identify/establish a connection
find/discover a cure/the answer
4. T
• Her blood was found to contain poison.
find (sth) out • • discover • • hear • • learn •
find/find out/hear/discover/learn that…
find/discover sb/sth to be/have, etc. sth
be surprised/saddened/delighted/interested to find/discover/hear/learn sth
5. T
• I find watching television so boring.
consider • • think • • feel • • see • • view • • count • • regard • |especially BrE, informal reckon •
find/consider/reckon sb/sth to be sth
6. T (not used in the progressive tenses)
• These flowers are found only in Africa.
exist • • live • • occur • |formal prevail •
be found/exist/live/occur/prevail in/among sth
still be found/exist/live/occur/prevail
Synonyms:
regard
call • find • consider • see • view
These words all mean to think about sb/sth in a particular way.
regard • to think of sb/sth in a particular way: ▪ He seemed to regard the whole thing as a joke.
call • to say that sb/sth has particular qualities or characteristics: ▪ I wouldn't call German an easy language.
find • to have a particular feeling or opinion about sth: ▪ You may find your illness hard to accept.
consider • to think of sb/sth in a particular way: ▪ Who do you consider (to be) responsible for the accident?
regard or consider?
These two words have the same meaning, but they are used in different patterns and structures. In this meaning consider must be used with a complement or clause: you can consider sb/sth to be sth or consider sb/sth as sth, although very often the to be or as is left out: ▪ He considers himself an expert. ◊ ▪ They are considered a high-risk group. You can also consider that sb/sth is sth and again, the that can be left out. Regard is used in a narrower range of structures. The most frequent structure is regard sb/sth as sth; the as cannot be left out: I regard him a close friend. You cannot regard sb/sth to be sth or regard that sb/sth is sth. However, regard (but not consider in this meaning) can also be used without a noun or adjective complement but with just an object and adverb (sb/sth is highly regarded) or adverbial phrase (regard sb/sth with suspicion/jealousy/admiration).
see • to have an opinion of sth: ▪ Try to see things from her point of view.
view • to think of sb/sth in a particular way: ▪ How do you view your position within the company?
View has the same meaning as regard and consider but is slightly less frequent and slightly less formal. The main structures are view sb/sth as sb/sth (you cannot leave out the as) and view sb/sth with sth.
to regard/consider/see/view sb/sth as sth
to regard/consider/see/view sb/sth from a particular point of view
to find/consider sb/sth to be sth
generally/usually regarded/considered/seen/viewed as sth
to regard/consider/view sb/sth favourably/unfavourably
Example Bank:
• A man out walking his dog found the body in a ditch.
• Can you find a use for this old table?
• Considerable variation was found in the terms offered by different banks.
• Have they found anyone to replace her?
• He went through the drawers but found nothing.
• I can't find my keys.
• I didn't expect to come home and find him gone.
• I find it amazing that they're still together.
• I wanted to talk to him but he was nowhere to be found.
• I'm having trouble finding anything new to say on this subject.
• It was found that her blood contained poison.
• Look what I've found!
• Police are confident of finding the killers.
• Scientists are still trying to find a cure for cancer.
• Scientists have found fresh evidence to suggest that a huge explosion led to the death of the dinosaurs.
• She had to find a valid excuse for leaving the room.
• The child was eventually found safe and well.
• The search party found no trace of the missing climbers.
• We need to find a useful role for the volunteers in the campaign.
• We'll have to find an alternative.
• We've found a great new restaurant near the office.
• You'll find this style of architecture all over the town.
Idioms: all found ▪ find fault ▪ find it in your heart to do something ▪ find its way ▪ find your feet ▪ find your voice ▪ find your way ▪ take somebody as you find them
Derived: find for somebody ▪ find out ▪ find out something ▪ find somebody out
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
find / faɪnd / verb ( found , found ) (DISCOVER)
A1 [ T ] to discover, especially where a thing or person is, either unexpectedly or by searching, or to discover where to get or how to achieve something:
I've just found a ten-pound note in my pocket.
I couldn't find Andrew's phone number.
You'll find the knives and forks in the left-hand drawer.
Researchers are hoping to find a cure for the disease.
[ + two objects ] Has he found himself a place to live yet?
[ + obj + adj ] She was found unconscious and bleeding.
[ + that ] The study found that men who were married lived longer than those who were not.
Do you think they'll ever find a way of bringing peace to the region?
We're really struggling to find (= get) enough money to pay the rent at the moment.
After years of abuse from her husband, she eventually found the courage to leave him.
I wish I could find (the) time to do more reading.
B1 [ T ] to realize that something exists or has happened:
[ + (that) ] We came home to find (that) the cat had had kittens.
I found (that) I could easily swim a mile.
be found B2 to exist or be present somewhere:
Many plant and animal species are found only in the rainforests.
Vitamin C is found in citrus fruit.
find your way to get somewhere you are trying to reach:
I had a map but I still couldn't find my way back to the hotel.
find fault with to criticize someone or something:
She's always finding fault with the way he works.
find yourself B2 to realize that you are in a particular situation or place, or doing a particular thing, when you did not intend to:
He'll find himself with no friends at all if he carries on behaving this way.
We fell asleep on the train and woke up to find ourselves in Calais.
often humorous If you go somewhere or do something to find yourself, you go there or do it to discover your true character:
Simon spent a year in an ashram in India to find himself.
find / faɪnd / verb [ T ] ( found , found ) (EXPERIENCE A FEELING)
B1 to think or feel a particular way about someone or something:
[ + obj + noun/adj ] Do you find Clive difficult to talk to?
I don't find him an easy person to get on with.
She doesn't find it easy to talk about her problems.
[ + -ing verb ] I find liv ing in the city quite stressful.
find / faɪnd / verb [ I or T ] ( found , found ) legal (JUDGE)
B2 to make a judgment in a law court:
[ + obj + adj ] In a unanimous verdict, the jury found him guilty/not guilty of the murder.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
find
[fa͟ɪnd]
♦
finds, finding, found
1) VERB If you find someone or something, you see them or learn where they are.
[V n] The police also found a pistol...
[V n] They have spent ages looking at the map and can't find a trace of anywhere called Darrowby...
[V n n] I wonder if you could find me a deck of cards? [Also V n for n]
2) VERB If you find something that you need or want, you succeed in achieving or obtaining it.
[V n] Many people here cannot find work...
[V n] So far they have not found a way to fight the virus...
[V n n] He has to apply for a permit and we have to find him a job...
[V n for n] Does this mean that they haven't found a place for him? [Also V n for n to-inf]
Syn:
get
3) V-PASSIVE If something is found in a particular place or thing, it exists in that place.
[be V-ed] Two thousand of France's 4,200 species of flowering plants are found in the park...
[be V-ed] Fibre is found in cereal foods, beans, fruit and vegetables.
4) VERB If you find someone or something in a particular situation, they are in that situation when you see them or come into contact with them.
[V n -ing] They found her walking alone and depressed on the beach...
[V n -ed] She returned to her east London home to find her back door forced open...
[V n prep/adv] Thrushes are a protected species so you will not find them on any menu.
Syn:
discover
5) VERB If you find yourself doing something, you are doing it without deciding or intending to do it.
[V pron-refl prep/adv] It's not the first time that you've found yourself in this situation...
[V pron-refl -ing] I found myself having more fun than I had had in years...
[V pron-refl adj] It all seemed so far away from here that he found himself quite unable to take it in.
6) VERB: no passive, no cont If a time or event finds you in a particular situation, you are in that situation at the time mentioned or when the event occurs. [WRITTEN]
[V n prep] Daybreak found us on a cold, clammy ship...
[V n -ing] His lunch did not take long to arrive and found him poring over a notepad covered with scrawls.
7) VERB If you find that something is the case, you become aware of it or realize that it is the case.
[V that] The two biologists found, to their surprise, that both groups of birds survived equally well...
[V it adj to-inf] At my age I would find it hard to get another job...
[V n to-inf] We find her evidence to be based on a degree of oversensitivity...
[V n n] I've never found my diet a problem.
8) VERB When a court or jury decides that a person on trial is guilty or innocent, you say that the person has been found guilty or not guilty.
[be V-ed adj] She was found guilty of manslaughter and put on probation for two years...
[V n adj] When they found us guilty, I just went blank.
9) VERB You can use find to express your reaction to someone or something.
[V n adj] I find most of the young men of my own age so boring...
[V n adj] We're sure you'll find it exciting!...
[V it adj that] I find it ludicrous that nothing has been done to protect passengers from fire...
[V n n] But you'd find him a good worker if you showed him what to do.
10) VERB If you find a feeling such as pleasure or comfort in a particular thing or activity, you experience the feeling mentioned as a result of this thing or activity.
[V n in -ing] How could anyone find pleasure in hunting and killing this beautiful creature?...
[V n in n] I was too tired and frightened to find comfort in that familiar promise.
Syn:
feel
11) VERB If you find the time or money to do something, you succeed in making or obtaining enough time or money to do it.
[V n] I was just finding more time to write music...
[V n] My sister helped me find the money for a private operation.
12) N-COUNT: usu adj N If you describe someone or something that has been discovered as a find, you mean that they are valuable, interesting, good, or useful.
Another of his lucky finds was a pair of candle-holders...
His discovery was hailed as the botanical find of the century.
13) → See also finding, found
14) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR prep/adv If you find your way somewhere, you successfully get there by choosing the right way to go.
He was an expert at finding his way, even in strange surroundings...
After a while I pulled myself to my feet and found my way to the street.
15) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR adv/prep If something finds its way somewhere, it comes to that place, especially by chance.
It is one of the very few Michelangelos that have found their way out of Italy...
The most unlikely objects found their way into his design and look absolutely right where he placed them.
16) to find fault with → see fault
to find one's feet → see foot
Phrasal Verbs:
- find out
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
1find /ˈfaɪnd/ verb finds; found /ˈfaʊnd/; find·ing
1 [+ obj]
a : to discover (something or someone) without planning or trying to : to discover (something or someone) by chance
• He found a dollar on the ground.
• The well diggers found a number of Native American artifacts.
• She finds [=meets] interesting people wherever she goes.
b
✦Something or someone that is found in a specified place exists there or lives there.
• Many artifacts can be found in this area. [=there are many artifacts in this area]
• Polar bears are found in the Northern Hemisphere.
2 [+ obj] : to get or discover (something or someone that you are looking for)
• After an hour of searching, I finally found my glasses.
• find a missing person
• We need to find a suitable person for the job.
• I found a job for him. = I found him a job.
• My glasses are nowhere to be found. = I can't find my glasses.
3 [+ obj]
a : to discover or learn (something) by studying about it
• She found the answer at last.
• They claim to have found a more efficient way to run the business.
• researchers trying to find a cure for cancer
b : to get (something needed or wanted) by effort
• You must find time to do it.
• I found a way to pay for college without taking out any loans.
• She found the courage to address the crowd.
• I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. = I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me. [=I hope you can forgive me]
4 [+ obj]
a : to regard (someone or something you have met, seen, experienced, etc.) in a specified way
• I found him (to be) a very sensible man. = I found him very sensible.
• Students often find this book (to be) useful.
• I find it hard to concentrate [=it is hard for me to concentrate] with that music playing.
• The travel arrangements were found wanting. [=the travel arrangements were criticized]
b : to be affected by (something) in a specified way
• He finds laughing/laughter painful. = He finds it painful to laugh.
c : to feel (a pleasing emotion)
• He finds pleasure in her company.
• They didn't win, but the team found some satisfaction in having played so well.
5 [+ obj]
a : to discover (someone) in a specified state
• He found them waiting for him.
• I found her relaxing by the pool.
• He was found dead the next morning.
• The crisis found them unprepared. [=they were unprepared when the crisis occurred]
b : to become aware that you are doing something or that you are in a particular place or situation
• I often find myself thinking about her.
• When he awoke, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. [=he saw that he was in an unfamiliar room]
• I found myself agreeing with him. [=I found that I agreed with him]
6 [+ obj] : to begin to have (something)
• The new product found few buyers. [=few people bought it]
• It took a while before his unusual brand of comedy found an audience.
• These ideas have found approval/favor [=been accepted; become well-liked] among many young people.
• His doctrines found acceptance [=were accepted] among scholars.
7 law
a [+ obj] : to make a decision about the guilt or innocence of (someone)
• The jury found her guilty.
• She was found innocent.
b : to decide the result of a court case
[+ obj]
• The jury found a verdict of guilty.
[no obj]
• The jury found for the defendant. [=the jury's decision was in favor of the defendant]
• The jury found against her.
find common cause
- see 1cause
find fault : to criticize someone or something
• No matter what she did, her husband was always finding fault.
- usually + with
• Her husband found fault with everything she did.
- see also faultfinder
find its mark/target : to hit a target that was aimed for
• The bullet found its mark.
- often used figuratively
• Her angry reaction showed that his criticisms had found their mark.
find out [phrasal verb]
1 find out (something) : to learn (something) by making an effort
• I'd like to find out more about the school's psychology program.
• We need to find out where the meeting is being held.
• I don't know when the game starts, but I'll find out.
2 find out about (something) : to become aware of (something)
• Her mother found out about her smoking habit.
3 find (someone) out : to learn the unpleasant truth about (someone)
• He pretended to be a respectable citizen, but we found him out at last.
• Luckily, he was found out before he could do any harm.
find your bearings
- see bearing
find yourself : to learn what you truly value and want in life
• He left school and traveled to Europe, saying that he wanted to find himself.
find your voice : to begin speaking or expressing your thoughts : to be able to speak or to express yourself as a writer
• I couldn't speak for a moment, but then I found my voice.
• a young novelist who has found her voice
find your way
1 : to look for and find where you need to go in order to get somewhere
• I found my way home without any problems.
• She got lost trying to find her way back to the hotel.
- often used figuratively
• He's still finding his way as an actor. [=he's still learning what he needs to do to succeed as an actor]
2 : to go or arrive somewhere by chance or after a time of wandering
• The settlers eventually found their way to California.
