lend

Formslends, lending, lent

Plurallends

1. 1
   verbtransitive

   To let someone use something of yours for a while, expecting to get it back.

   Can you lend me a pencil until the end of class?

   She lent her brother the money for a new bike.

   UsageSay lend me your pen; the past is lent. The other person borrows.

   Similarloan

   Oppositeborrow

2. 2
   verbintransitive

   To give out loans.

   Banks lend less when times are hard.

   The credit union lends at a lower rate than the big banks.

   UsageBanks lend to people at a rate, such as 5 percent.

   Similarloan

   Oppositeborrow

3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To give or add something, such as help or a quality.

   Could you lend me a hand with these boxes?

   The candles lend the room a warm glow.

   UsageSay lend a hand (help). Things can lend a feeling to a place.

   Similargive, add, impart, contribute, bestow

   Note
4. 4
   verbreflexivetransitive

   To be right or useful for a particular purpose. Used with itself, themselves, and so on.

   This story lends itself to a movie.

   Some poems do not lend themselves to being read aloud.

   UsageSay the story lends itself to a film.

   Similarsuit

5. 5
   verbnonstandardtransitive

   Used by some speakers to mean borrow. Most people think this is a mistake.

   Can I lend your pen for a sec? he asked, and the teacher corrected him.

   She said she would lend a dress from her cousin for the dance.

   UsageWhen you take something, say borrow: can I borrow your pen? (not incorrect: can I lend your pen?)

   Similarborrow

   Note
6. 6
   noundialectalwith the

   In some dialects, a loan. Used with the.

   Can I have the lend of your umbrella?

   He asked for the lend of a few pounds until Friday.

   Similarloan, use

   Note
7. 7
   noundialectalUKcountable

   In some parts of Britain, the lower back or hips of a person or animal.

   The farmer slapped the horse on the lend and sent it off.

   He had a pain in his lends from lifting hay all day.

   Similarloin, rump, haunch, flank

   Note
8. 8
   noundialectalUKcountable

   In British dialect, the lower back.

   Gran rubbed her lend and said the damp had got into it.

   The old herbal recommends a warm cloth on the lend for aches.

   Similarloin

   Note

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