B2verb1K

Found

UK /["/faʊnd/","/faʊndz/","/ˈfaʊndɪd/","/ˈfaʊndɪŋ/"]/US /["/faʊnd/","/faʊndz/","/ˈfaʊndɪd/","/ˈfaʊndɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to start something, such as an organization or an institution, especially by providing money

In simple words: To discover something that was lost.

Examples

  • to found a club/company/school
  • Her family founded the college in 1895.
  • the **founding members** of the European Union
  • He was a founding editor of the journal.
  • He founded a new religion.
  • She founded the company 20 years ago.
  • The town was founded by English settlers in 1790.
  • French settlers founded New Orleans.
  • the founding generation of immigrants
  • Their marriage was founded on love and mutual respect.

Usage notes

Use 'found' when something is located or discovered after a search. It can be formal or informal, but in formal contexts, you might use 'discovered' instead.

Grammar pattern

found + object

Memory hint

Think of the word 'found' as 'found it' when you finally see something you lost!

Collocations

  • found out
  • found guilty
  • found a solution
  • found evidence
  • found information

Synonyms

  • establish

Antonyms

  • lost
  • misplaced

Common mistakes

  • 'Found' is sometimes incorrectly used in place of 'found out' for discovering new information.
  • Learners may confuse 'found' (past of find) with 'found' (to establish), which have different meanings.
  • 'Finds' is often used incorrectly as the past tense instead of 'found'.