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Synonyms

lend

American  
[lend] / lɛnd /

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.

idioms

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

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

lend British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of lend

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If good software companies can’t access markets for high-yield or broadly syndicated loans, lenders like Golub can command better prices for lending.

From Barron's

For more than a decade, she covered consumer lending broadly with a focus on issues that had a big impact on borrowers.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Is a local bank going to lend against you? No,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Generally speaking, a steepening curve is often associated with a brighter U.S. economic outlook and an environment in which banks are encouraged to lend more freely because they can also borrow more cheaply.

From MarketWatch

Private investors prize the recurring subscription revenue of companies that sell software over the cloud, in part because it lends itself naturally to leverage.

From The Wall Street Journal