found
1 Americanverb (used with object)
-
to set up or establish on a firm basis or for enduring existence.
to found a new publishing company.
- Synonyms:
- originate, institute, inaugurate, organize
-
to lay the lowest part of (a structure) on a firm base or ground.
a house founded on solid rock.
-
to base or ground (usually followed by on orupon ).
a story founded on fact.
-
to provide a basis or ground for.
verb
adjective
-
equipped, outfitted, or furnished.
He bought a new boat, fully found.
-
provided or furnished without additional charge, as to a tenant; included within the price, rent, etc. (often used postpositively).
Room to let, laundry found.
noun
verb (used with object)
-
to melt and pour (metal, glass, etc.) into a mold.
-
to form or make (an article) of molten material in a mold; cast.
verb
adjective
-
furnished, or fitted out
the boat is well found
-
with meals, heating, bed linen, etc, provided without extra charge (esp in the phrase all found )
verb
-
(tr) to bring into being, set up, or establish (something, such as an institution, society, etc)
-
(tr) to build or establish the foundation or basis of
-
(also intr; foll by on or upon) to have a basis (in); depend (on)
verb
-
to cast (a material, such as metal or glass) by melting and pouring into a mould
-
to shape or make (articles) in this way; cast
Etymology
Origin of found1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, founden, funden, fonden, from Old French fonder, from Latin fundāre “to lay a foundation,” derivative of fundus “bottom, foundation”
Origin of found2
First recorded before 900, for the adjective
Origin of found3
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English founden, funden “to mix ingredients (in cooking),” from Middle French fondre “to melt, smelt, cast,” from Latin fundere “to pour (liquid from a container), empty, melt, cast”
Explanation
To found something is like laying a "foundation" for a building — note the similarity? But instead of a building, you might found a business or a charity, where you establish the groundwork upon which it can grow. The verb found goes back to the Latin word fundus, meaning "bottom," which in turn led to fundāre, meaning "to lay the bottom of something." If you were to found a library, they might build a statue of you near the entrance. If you're having trouble finding the library, look for a statue with a familiar face.
Vocabulary lists containing found
American Naturalization Test, List 3
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Chapter 2: Exploring the Americas
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Chapter 11: Rome: Republic to Empire
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The insider added, “They’ve found a rhythm that works and make a point to see each other as often as possible.”
From MarketWatch • Jun. 12, 2026
"I was never a great student growing up, but I found martial arts really gave me the drive to persevere and do hard things," Terao said.
From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026
However, researchers found no additional advantage from doing more than 120 minutes of strength training per week.
From Science Daily • Jun. 12, 2026
Arasheben went downtown, knocked on doors and found somebody to make it for $37,000.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026
Clare had found Captain when he was just a bud, in the very spot where he grew now.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
