ENGLISH
REFERENCE

founded

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈfaʊndɪd// UK //fˈaʊndɪd// found·ed Dialect

v. to start an organization, company, or city by providing the money or the basic ideas. You use this when someone creates something meant to last for a long time.

v. to establish or set up an institution, organization, or settlement on a firm basis. Transitive; typically implies the provision of initial capital or the formulation of core principles.


SIMPLE

She founded the company ten years ago.

CONTEXTUAL

The university was founded in 1850 to provide affordable education to the local community.

COMPLEX

While many startups fail within their first year, this non-profit was founded on such robust ethical principles that it has survived several major economic downturns.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. It is the past tense of 'found' (to establish), not to be confused with 'found' as the past tense of 'find'.

Pitfall

The city was finded in 1700The city was founded in 1700Learners often confuse 'founded' (established) with the past tense of 'find'. 'Founded' is a regular verb in its own right.

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