lend
Americanverb (used with object)
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to grant the use of (something) on condition that it or its equivalent will be returned.
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to give (money) on condition that it is returned and often that interest is paid for its temporary use.
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to give or contribute obligingly or helpfully.
to lend one's aid to a cause.
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to adapt (oneself or itself ) to something.
The building should lend itself to inexpensive remodeling.
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to furnish or impart.
Distance lends enchantment to the view.
verb (used without object)
idioms
verb
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(tr) to permit the use of (something) with the expectation of return of the same or an equivalent
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to provide (money) temporarily, often at interest
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(intr) to provide loans, esp as a profession
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(tr) to impart or contribute (something, esp some abstract quality)
her presence lent beauty
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(tr) to provide, esp in order to assist or support
he lent his skill to the company
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to listen
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to possess the right characteristics or qualities for
the novel lends itself to serialization
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to give support, cooperation, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have lentperfect
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has lentperfect 3rd person singular
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are lendingprogressive
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is lendingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am lendingprogressive 1st person singular
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has been lendingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been lendingperfect progressive
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lendssingular 3rd person
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lendingparticiple
Past
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had lentperfect
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had been lendingperfect progressive
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was lendingprogressive singular
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were lendingprogressive plural
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lentsimple
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lentparticiple
Future
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; see loan 1
Explanation
When you lend something, you loan it or let someone borrow it. You might, for example, lend your bike to your brother — if he promises to be careful with it. Libraries lend people books, and car rental companies lend people cars — in both cases, the item that's been borrowed is supposed to be returned eventually. Another way to lend is to "add a quality to," or "be suitable for." You could say that you think your hat lends you a mysterious quality, or that your trench coat lends itself to walking through a foggy city at dusk.
Vocabulary lists containing lend
"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 17
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Unit 17, Lesson 4
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Free Period
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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.
A packet can lend instant backbone to a quick enchilada sauce, wake up a pan of chilaquiles or give nacho toppings a little extra swagger.
From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026
"I think all these skills really lend themselves really well to training for being an astronaut but also living and working in space as well."
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
There have been signs recently the government wants banks to lend more, but people have to want to borrow.
From Barron's • May 31, 2026
What’s in it for one of the most elitist luxury watchmakers in the world to lend its name to a lurid $400 plastic watch?
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
The County Council of Defense members were noticeably absent, but otherwise nearly everyone came by to lend a hand or a word of advice.
From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
