Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

bound

 - definition
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
adjective [not usually before noun] American English pronunciation: bound /baʊnd/
  1. 1
    something that is bound to happen will almost certainly happen
    bound to:

    If you have problems at home, it’s bound to affect your work.

    Knowing Jim, he’s bound to be late.

    The kids are out late, so of course she’s bound to worry.

    She’s bound to find out sooner or later.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  boundThesaurus entry for this meaning of bound
  2. 2
    having an obligation to do something because of a law, promise, etc.

    By signing the contract you agree to be bound by its terms.

    be bound by something to do something:

    If her patient threatens to kill someone, she is bound by law to inform the police.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  boundThesaurus entry for this meaning of bound
    1. a.
      feeling that you should do something because you are expected to, or because it is morally right, even if you do not really want to do it
      be/feel bound to do something:

      We felt bound to tell her that her son had been taking drugs.

      duty/honor bound:

      reporters who feel honor bound to protect their sources of information

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  boundThesaurus entry for this meaning of bound
  3. 3
    a bound book has a leather, cloth, or paper cover

    a bound volume of the whole trilogy

    bound in:

    an old book of poems, bound in dark leather

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  boundThesaurus entry for this meaning of bound

phrases

This is the American English definition of bound. View British English definition of bound.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

vocal fry

a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day Word of the Day

simile

a phrase that describes something by comparing it to something else using the word...

Open Dictionary

conflict mineral

a mineral which is mined in a place where there is armed conflict, and sold to help pay for weapons

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog