found

/faʊnd/

/faʊnd/

Other forms: founded; founding; founds

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.

Definitions of found

1. verb

   set up or found
   synonyms: establish, launch, set up

   type of:

   open, open up

   start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning
2. verb

   set up or lay the groundwork for
   synonyms: constitute, establish, institute, plant

   types:

   fix

   set or place definitely

   appoint, constitute, name, nominate

   create and charge with a task or function

   pack

   set up a committee or legislative body with one's own supporters so as to influence the outcome

   co-opt

   appoint summarily or commandeer

   type of:

   initiate, pioneer

   take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
3. verb

   use as a basis for; found on
   synonyms: base, establish, ground

   types:

   build

   found or ground
4. adjective

   come upon unexpectedly or after searching
   “found art”

   “the lost-and-found department”

   synonyms:

   recovered

   found after being lost

   saved

   rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

   antonyms:

   lost

   no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

   mislaid, misplaced

   lost temporarily; as especially put in an unaccustomed or forgotten place

   gone

   no longer retained

   missing

   not able to be found

   squandered, wasted

   not used to good advantage

   stray

   (of an animal) having no home or having wandered away from home

   straying

   unable to find your way

   lost

   spiritually or physically doomed or destroyed
5. noun

   food and lodging provided in addition to money
   “they worked for $30 and found”

   type of:

   earnings, pay, remuneration, salary, wage

   something that remunerates