find out

verb

found out; finding out; finds out
Synonyms of find outnext

transitive verb

1
: to learn by effort, study, observation, or search : discover
I need to find out where the meeting is being held.
2
a
: to catch in an offense (such as a crime)
The culprits were soon found out.
b
: to ascertain the true character or identity of
The informer was eventually found out.

intransitive verb

: to discover, learn, or verify something
I don't know, but I'll find out for you.

Examples of find out in a Sentence

that was around the time that I found out I was adopted found out about the new restaurant by reading reviews online
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The regulations are also going to acclimate European shoppers to using QR codes to find out more about their purchase. Evan Clark, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026 Shrestha is now trying to find out what whether his staff are alive or dead. Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 To find out, researchers used machine learning to analyze the brain scans of dogs as they were shown images of human facial expressions. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Aug. 2026 One week after finding out Meredith was pregnant, Johnny died. Julie Mazziotta, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for find out

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of find out was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Find out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/find%20out. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

find out

verb
1
: to learn by study, observation, or search : discover
2
: to catch doing something bad
the culprit was found out
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