borrow

[ bor-oh, bawr-oh ]

/ ˈbɒr oʊ, ˈbɔr oʊ /

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verb (used with object)

to take or obtain with the promise to return the same or an equivalent: Our neighbor borrowed my lawn mower.

to use, appropriate, or introduce from another source or from a foreign source: to borrow an idea from the opposition; to borrow a word from French.

Arithmetic. (in subtraction) to take from one denomination and add to the next lower.

verb (used without object)

to borrow something: Don't borrow unless you intend to repay.

Nautical.

to sail close to the wind; luff.
to sail close to the shore.

Golf. to putt on other than a direct line from the lie of the ball to the hole, to compensate for the incline or roll of the green.

OTHER WORDS FOR borrow

2 acquire, take, get; copy, pirate, plagiarize.

See synonyms for borrow on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about borrow

borrow trouble, to do something that is unnecessary and may cause future harm or inconvenience.

Origin of borrow

before 900; Middle English borowen,Old English borgian to borrow, lend, derivative of borg a pledge; akin to Dutch borg a pledge, borgen to charge, give credit, German Borg credit, borgen to take on credit

OTHER WORDS FROM borrow

bor·row·a·ble, adjectivebor·row·er, nounnon·bor·rowed, adjectivenon·bor·row·er, noun

o·ver·bor·row, verbun·bor·rowed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH borrow

borrow , lend, loan

Other definitions for borrow (2 of 2)

Borrow

[ bor-oh, bawr-oh ]

/ ˈbɒr oʊ, ˈbɔr oʊ /

noun

George, 1803–81, English traveler, writer, and student of languages, especially Romani.

OTHER WORDS FROM Borrow

Bor·ro·vi·an

[buh-roh-vee-uhn], /bəˈroʊ vi ən/, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use borrow in a sentence

Newcomers to RV camping might appreciate a little help shepherding their borrowed house into its campsite when they reach their destination, which spurred our interest in the Lincoln’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist.
Backing up a trailer is really hard, but this $100,000 SUV offers a new solution|Dan Carney|November 19, 2020|Popular-Science
Once you have the list of your competitors, you can start analyzing them in greater detail to learn your rivals’ strengths and borrow their best practices.
Analyzing competition with SE Ranking tools|Sponsored Content: SE Ranking|November 19, 2020|Search Engine Land
Namely, when we try to have discussions about the future — we have talked a lot about getting married and having children together — he borrows the phrase "10-year plan," which one of his roommates uses a lot.
Carolyn Hax: The 10-year plan is his brainchild. Her 5-year plan is a child child.|Carolyn Hax|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Other groups like the water district and environmental groups in Borrego Springs are alarmed over the pipeline’s path which appears to borrow through Anza Borrego State Park.
Morning Report: Water Districts Wary of San Diego’s Pipeline Plan|Voice of San Diego|November 17, 2020|Voice of San Diego

Unlike the federal government, state and local governments cannot borrow money to make up for budget deficits, so budgets will need to be cut.
Cities Are Falling Short on Coastal Access – and Short-Term Rentals Could Help|Philip King and Sarah Jenkins|November 16, 2020|Voice of San Diego
And the average student borrower had $29,400 in debt as of 2012.
The Price of College Has Increased 1120 Percent Since 1978, So Is It Worth It?|Andrew Rossi|January 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After getting burned badly in the housing crash, most lenders now check everything on a borrower's loan application.
Government Shutdown Could Slow Housing Recovery|CNBC|October 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The borrower loses credibility, respect, and the ability to participate in the market in the future.
What the GOP Doesn’t Understand About the Debt|Daniel Gross|September 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In addition, the typical credit score for a post-2008 borrower is a healthy 755.
Freddie Mac’s Profits Obscure Housing-Boom Damage|Daniel Gross|March 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
For a borrower, these notes add up to a loan, which they then have to pay back over the term.
Why Is Larry Summers Signing Up With Lending Club?|Matthew Zeitlin|December 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Amongst all my fellow clerks I remember one only who resembled as a borrower some of my quondam associates at Derby.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
In both the borrower of money pledges his property as security while the money remains unpaid.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
He was in the position of a borrower driving a risky trade, or of a would-be insurer who leads an unhealthy life.
Ireland Under the Tudors, Vol. II (of 3)|Richard Bagwell
I really came as a borrower, but circumstances permitted me to play the rle of the lender.
My Life in Many States and in Foreign Lands|George Francis Train
On another occasion the same borrower deducted from the interest accrued due a pound he said he had lent the youthful poet.
Obiter Dicta|Augustine Birrell

British Dictionary definitions for borrow (1 of 2)

borrow

/ (ˈbɒrəʊ) /

verb

to obtain or receive (something, such as money) on loan for temporary use, intending to give it, or something equivalent or identical, back to the lender

to adopt (ideas, words, etc) from another source; appropriate

not standard to lend

golf to putt the ball uphill of the direct path to the hole

(intr) golf (of a ball) to deviate from a straight path because of the slope of the ground

noun

golf a deviation of a ball from a straight path because of the slope of the grounda left borrow

material dug from a borrow pit to provide fill at another

living on borrowed time

living an unexpected extension of life
close to death

Derived forms of borrow

borrower, noun

Word Origin for borrow

Old English borgian; related to Old High German borgēn to take heed, give security

usage for borrow

The use of off after borrow was formerly considered incorrect, but is now acceptable in informal contexts

British Dictionary definitions for borrow (2 of 2)

Borrow

/ (ˈbɒrəʊ) /

noun

George (Henry). 1803–81, English traveller and writer. His best-known works are the semiautobiographical novels of Gypsy life and language, Lavengro (1851) and its sequel The Romany Rye (1857)

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 Idioms and Phrases with borrow

borrow

In addition to the idiom beginning with borrow

borrow trouble

also see:

beg, borrow, or steal
on borrowed time

borrow

OTHER WORDS FOR borrow

Idioms about borrow

Origin of borrow

OTHER WORDS FROM borrow

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH borrow

Other definitions for borrow (2 of 2)

OTHER WORDS FROM Borrow

Words related to borrow

How to use borrow in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for borrow (1 of 2)

Derived forms of borrow

Word Origin for borrow

usage for borrow

British Dictionary definitions for borrow (2 of 2)

Other Idioms and Phrases with borrow