founder
/ˈfaʊndə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfaʊndər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfau̇n-dər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈfaʊn.dər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfaʊn.dɚ/ (ame, ipa)
founder — noun
- foundersingular
- foundersplural
1. someone who brings a new organization into being and takes responsibility for it
someone who brings a new organization into being and takes responsibility for its early development
Adina, the founder of a successful tech company, still works in the office every day.
founder + of + [organization]
The university's founder wanted every student to receive a free education.
possessive: founder's goal / vision
Chidi met the founder of the charity during a visit to the village.
Ayesha's grandfather was one of the founders of the local hospital.
Without its founder's clear vision, the organization would not have grown so large.
- creator
broader; can apply to art, ideas, or physical objects, not just organizations
- originator
emphasizes being the first to think of something
- founding father
more formal or historical; often used for political institutions
- follower
someone who joins or supports after the organization already exists
文法句型
founder + of + [organization]
用法筆記
Often followed by of plus the organization name. The prefix co- can be added to form co-founder when more than one person started the organization together.
常見錯誤
founder — verb
- founderpresent simple I / you / we / they
- founders3rd person singular
- foundering-ing form
- founderedpast simple
1. of a boat or ship: to take in so much seawater that it drops beneath the surface
of a boat or ship: to take in so much seawater that it drops beneath the surface and disappears
The old fishing boat foundered in the storm off the coast of Taiwan.
intransitive: [boat/ship] + founders + [circumstance]
Water poured into the hull, and the ship foundered within thirty minutes.
Several small boats foundered when the river flooded after the storm.
The crew escaped before the ship foundered on the rocky reef.
That year, three ships foundered in the same dangerous stretch of ocean.
- float
to stay on or near the surface
文法句型
[boat/ship] + founders
用法筆記
An intransitive verb — a ship founders, but no one 'founders a ship'. Unlike sink, founder specifically describes the process of filling with water before going under, not just any descent below the surface.
常見錯誤
2. to stop making progress and fail completely — used of plans, discussions, projec
to stop making progress and fail completely — used of plans, discussions, projects, or other efforts that fall apart before they can succeed
The peace talks foundered when neither side would agree to a ceasefire.
intransitive: [talks/negotiations] + founder
Elena's business plan foundered because she could not find enough investors.
The project foundered after the main sponsor withdrew their funding.
Their attempt to climb the mountain foundered when a blizzard forced them back.
Negotiations between the two companies foundered over the issue of price.
- fail
much more common and general; can apply to people and things
- collapse
suggests a sudden, dramatic breakdown
- fall through
informal; common for plans and arrangements
文法句型
[plan/talks/project] + founders
用法筆記
Subject is almost always an abstract noun — talks, plans, projects, attempts, negotiations. Never used of a person (you cannot say 'He foundered at his job'). The reason for failure is typically introduced by the prepositions over, on, or because of.