Macmillan Dictionary

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] British English pronunciation: bound /baʊnd/
Other entries for this word
  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.

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

    Knowing Jim, he's bound to be late.

    She's bound to find out sooner or later.

    Thesaurus 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 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/honour bound:

      journalists who feel honour bound to protect their sources of information

      Thesaurus 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 bound

phrases

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

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for bound.

 

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

neutrino

a particle that is smaller than an atom and has no electrical charge

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

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