Founder — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈfau̇n-dər/ found·er

Meaning & Definition of Founder

Founder (noun)

  1. one that founds or establishes
  2. inflammation of and damage to the laminae and coffin bone in the hoof of a domesticated animal (such as a horse or cow) that is typically caused by poor diet, obesity, or diseases associated with inflammation, laminitis
  3. one that founds metal; especially, typefounder

Founder (verb)

  1. to become disabled; especially, to go lame
  2. to give way, collapse
  3. to become submerged, sink

Founder (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who establishes a whole new field of endeavor

    "Maria Montessori was the founder of an educational system dedicated to maximizing a child's creative potential"

    similar: author, begetter, creator, establisher, father, founding father, generator, inaugurator, initiator, instituter, originator, sire
    related: cocreator, cofounder, conceiver, contriver, designer, deviser, formulator, innovator, introducer, inventor, spawner, builder, maker, producer, developer, pioneer, researcher, researchist, organizer, promoter, encourager, galvanizer, inspiration, inspirer
    near: disciple, follower, pupil, student, supporter

Founder (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be unsuccessful

    "the theater company foundered after its corporate funding dried up"

    similar: bomb, collapse, crater, fail, flame out, flop, flunk, fold, miss, strike out, tank, wash out, come a cropper, come to grief, come up empty, die on the vine, fall flat, fall on one's face, fall short, lay an egg
    related: flounder, struggle, decline, sink, skid, slip, slump, wane, crash, crumble, miscarry, misfire, go under, implode, self-destruct
    opposite: click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, succeed, work out
    near: cook, flourish, prosper, thrive, prevail, triumph, win

  2. to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure

    "the twin towers started to sway and suddenly foundered"

    similar: buckle, cave (in), collapse, crumple, give, go, go out, implode, tumble, yield, give way
    related: deflate, flatten, melt, melt down, break, break down, conk (out), crash, die, fail, give out, stall, burst, shatter, smash, splinter, split, crack, crumble, pop, snap
    near: inflate, rise, swell

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Founder

The most common words with a similar meaning to Founder:

author, begetter, creator, establisher, father, founding father, generator, inaugurator, initiator, instituter, originator, sire, bomb, collapse, crater, fail, flame out, flop, flunk, fold, miss, strike out, tank, wash out, buckle, cave (in), crumple, give, go, go out, implode, tumble, yield, come a cropper, come to grief, come up empty, die on the vine, fall flat, fall on one's face, fall short

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Founder

Words with the opposite meaning of Founder:

click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, succeed, work out

Related Words for Founder

cocreator, cofounder, conceiver, contriver, designer, deviser, formulator, innovator, introducer, inventor, spawner, builder, maker, producer, developer, pioneer, researcher, researchist, organizer, promoter, encourager, galvanizer, inspiration, inspirer, flounder, struggle, decline, sink, skid, slip

Near Antonyms of Founder

disciple, follower, pupil, student, supporter, cook, flourish, prosper, thrive, prevail, triumph, win, inflate, rise, swell

Word Forms of Founder

Inflections: foundered, foundering, founders

Origin & Etymology of Founder

Middle English foundour, borrowed from Anglo-French fundur, foundour, going back to Latin fundātor, from fundāre "to found:4" + -tor, agent suffix

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Founder

Words & Phrases Containing Founder

founder effect

Frequently Asked Questions about Founder

What does "Founder" mean?

"Founder" means one that founds or establishes. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: one that founds or establishes. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Founder"?

Other words for "Founder" include author, begetter, creator, establisher, father, founding father, generator and inaugurator. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Founder" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Founder"?

There are 98 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Founder". Common alternatives include author, begetter, creator, establisher, father, founding father, generator, inaugurator, initiator and instituter.

What is the opposite of "Founder"?

Antonyms of "Founder" include click, come off, deliver, go, go over, pan out, succeed and work out. Near antonyms include disciple, follower, pupil and student.

How do you use "Founder" in a sentence?

Examples of "Founder" in a sentence: "Maria Montessori was the founder of an educational system dedicated to maximizing a child's creative potential"; "the theater company foundered after its corporate funding dried up"; "the twin towers started to sway and suddenly foundered".

Is "Founder" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Founder" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Founder" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Founder" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Founder"?

"Founder" is pronounced /ˈfau̇n-dər/ and divided into syllables as found·er.