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lend

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verb British English pronunciation: lend /lend/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theylend
he/she/itlends
present participlelending
past tenselent
past participlelent

Related dictionary definitions

  1. 1
    [transitive] to give someone something for a short time, expecting that they will give it back to you later. If you lend someone something, they borrow it from you

    The local library will lend books for a month without charge.

    lend someone something:

    She lent me her very expensive coat.

    lend something to someone:

    Joe lent this car to us for the weekend.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  lendThesaurus entry for this meaning of lend
    1. a.
      [intransitive/transitive] to give someone money that you expect them to pay back later

      Can you lend me £10?

      Banks are willing to lend large amounts of money to people starting up businesses.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  lendThesaurus entry for this meaning of lend
    See also  borrow
  2. 2
    [transitive] to give something a particular quality
    lend something to something:

    The secrecy lent an air of intrigue to their planning.

    lend something something:

    The smile lent his face a certain boyish charm.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  lendThesaurus entry for this meaning of lend
  3. 3
    [transitive] to give someone support or help
    lend (your) support:

    Aid agencies lend support to refugees by providing blankets and food.

    lend (your) assistance:

    Then Max arrived to lend his assistance.

    lend a (helping) hand:

    Patricia is someone who is always ready to lend a helping hand (=help people).

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  lendThesaurus entry for this meaning of lend

phrases

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

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