Word of the Day: Lend
| simple | past | past participle |
|---|---|---|
|
lend
|
lent
|
lent
|
The verb “lend” is similar to “give,” but something that is lent is eventually returned to the original owner. You can use this word with money and objects:
- Can you lend me some money? I’ll pay you back tomorrow.
- Bertha lent her sister $50.
- Some banks haven’t been lending money the way they used to because they’re afraid of losing it.
- Dan was lent $200, but he hasn’t paid it back yet. (passive voice)
- A library will lend you books, CDs, and DVDs for learning English.
- You should avoid lending money to friends. That could cause problems in your relationship. (The word “lending” in this sentence is a gerund.)
- Can you lend me a hand for a minute? (Lend me a hand = help me)
Add “er” to the word “lend” to form the noun “lender.”
- We need to find a lender in order to open a small business. (lender = bank; a person with a lot of money who lends out money.)
- Many lenders made bad loans to borrowers before 2008, and that has caused a lot of problems for the economy.
- Neither a borrower nor a lender be. (Polonius gives his son Laertes some advice before he goes off to college in Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet.)
Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with L page to see the list of all words starting with letter L. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
