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Synonyms

borrowing

American  
[bor-oh-ing, bawr-] / ˈbɒr oʊ ɪŋ, ˈbɔr- /

noun

  1. the act of one who borrows.

  2. the process by which something, as a word or custom, is adopted or absorbed.

  3. the result of such a process; something borrowed, as a foreign word or phrase or a custom.

Other Word Forms

  • nonborrowing adjective
  • preborrowing noun
  • unborrowing adjective

Etymology

Origin of borrowing

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; borrow, -ing 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.

The aim would be to bolster a stagnant labor market and drum up demand in key areas of the economy such as housing that have suffered from high borrowing costs.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

Momentum might be growing for company borrowing, too.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

She suggests also borrowing from female relatives if possible.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

While CoreWeave has received criticism for its debt load, the company has pushed back against concerns of unsustainable financing by highlighting the demand-driven nature of its borrowing.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

“I’m just borrowing your stupid ring,” I say.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

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.