Finder
'faɪndər
Definitions
2 meaningsA person or thing that discovers or locates something.
'faɪndər
A person or thing that finds something or someone.
The finder of the treasure was rewarded handsomely.
💡 Simply: A finder is someone or something that helps you locate something. Like, if you lose your keys, the person who finds them is the finder! Or, if you are looking for information online, a search engine is a finder.
👶 For kids: A finder is someone or something that helps you find things. Like if you lost your toy, the person who finds it is the finder!
More Examples
He acted as a finder of lost children during the crisis.
The website is a great finder of information on local events.
How It's Used
"The dog was a good finder of lost objects."
"The finder of the wallet should turn it in to the police."
A device or system used to locate or identify something.
'faɪndər
A device or system for locating something.
The telescope has a finder scope to help locate celestial objects.
💡 Simply: A finder can also be a tool or a piece of equipment that helps you find things. For example, the viewfinder on your camera helps you frame the picture before you take it.
👶 For kids: A finder can also be a tool that helps you see things. Like the part of a camera that you look through to take a picture is a finder!
More Examples
The metal detector is a type of finder for buried objects.
The radar is a finder for tracking aircraft.
How It's Used
"The camera's viewfinder allows the photographer to frame the shot."
"A direction finder helps locate radio signals."
Idioms & expressions
finders keepers
A saying that whatever is found belongs to the person who finds it, especially if there is no known owner.
"The children played a game of 'finders keepers' with the lost toys."
From Middle English *findere*, from Old English *findere* ('discoverer, inventor'), equivalent to find + -er.
The word 'finder' has been used since the Middle Ages, evolving from the Old English term for 'discoverer'. Its meaning has remained relatively consistent over time.