noun

founder

FOWN-duh

noun

A person who establishes an organization, company, or institution.

"The founder of the company still runs it today."

verb

To fail or fall apart, especially of a plan, negotiation, or ship.

"The talks foundered after both sides refused to compromise."

"The old ship foundered in a storm off the coast."

How to Use Founder

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who starts an organization, or as a verb, to sink or collapse into failure.

Common mistake

Don't confuse the verb "founder" (to fail/sink) with "flounder" (to struggle clumsily) — they're easy to mix up but have separate origins.

Easily confused with

flounder →

Common pairings

co-founder founder of the company negotiations foundered

foundered past tense, founders plural, founders plural, founders plural, Founders plural, founders singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The _____ of the company still runs it today.

From Old French fondeur, from Latin fundator — related to "found" in the sense of "establish."

under sunder dunder thunder launder plunder blunder asunder sounder rounder pounder flounder