lend

[lend]

verb (used with object)

lent, lending 

1. to grant the use of (something) on condition that it or its equivalent will be returned.

2. to give (money) on condition that it is returned and often that interest is paid for its temporary use.

3. to give or contribute obligingly or helpfully.

   to lend one's aid to a cause.

4. to adapt (oneself or itself ) to something.

   The building should lend itself to inexpensive remodeling.

5. to furnish or impart.

   Distance lends enchantment to the view.

verb (used without object)

lent, lending 

1. to make a loan.

lend

/ lɛnd /

verb

1. (tr) to permit the use of (something) with the expectation of return of the same or an equivalent

2. to provide (money) temporarily, often at interest

3. (intr) to provide loans, esp as a profession

4. (tr) to impart or contribute (something, esp some abstract quality)

   her presence lent beauty

5. (tr) to provide, esp in order to assist or support

   he lent his skill to the company

6. to listen

7. to possess the right characteristics or qualities for

   the novel lends itself to serialization

8. to give support, cooperation, etc

Other Word Forms

• lender noun
• interlend verb
• overlend verb
• relend verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of lend¹

First recorded before 900; from Middle English lenden, variant (originally past tense) of lenen, Old English lǣnan (cognate with Dutch lenen, German lehnen, Old Norse lāna ), derivative of lǣn loan; cognate with German Lehnen, Old Norse lān; loan ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lend¹

C15 lende (originally the past tense), from Old English lǣnan, from lǣn _loan ¹ ; related to Icelandic lāna, Old High German lēhanōn

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. lend a hand, to give help; aid.

   If everyone lends a hand, we can have dinner ready in half an hour.

Example Sentences

The light, as much as it exists in this series, shines through Hahn’s sensitive work as Dominick’s ex-wife Dessa and the welcome breath of comedy Rob Huebel lends to Leo, Dominick’s mischievous best friend.

From Salon

The body was discovered as the Man - a towering structure which lends the festival its name - was beginning to burn.

From BBC

A sovereign rating measures how risky it is to lend to a government or invest in a country.

From BBC

The BBC understands Ms Upton has a cold cot - with electrical cooling pads to maintain lower temperatures - which she uses at her home and lends out to families.

From BBC

Guadagnino’s penchant for taking big, artistic swings and wrapping narratives in riddles will no doubt lend itself to the movie’s thematic framework.

From Salon

Related Words

• add 
• afford 
• allow 
• contribute 
• extend 
• give 
• grant 
• impart 
• provide 
• supply