Dictionary.com

be bound to

Save This Word!

see bound to.

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with be bound to (2 of 2)

bound to, be

Be certain or destined to; also, be determined or resolved to. For example, We are bound to hear from them soon, or No matter what they say, she is bound to run for mayor. This usage is derived from the older sense of bound as “obliged.” [Mid-1500s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

MORE ABOUT BOUND TO BE

What does be bound to mean?

Be bound to is a phrase that means something is certain to happen or is destined to be true, as in There are bound to be useful books at the library. In other words, it is a near guarantee that there will be useful books at the library (it’s what libraries are for, after all).

Be bound to can also mean someone is determined to do something, as in Despite everyone telling him it was a bad idea, Jack was bound to chase after that bear. That is, Jack is resolved to chase after the bear. (Jack should really rethink that idea.)

Example: Our cat is bound to try to eat the goldfish unless we keep an eye on her.

Where does be bound to come from?

The first records of the phrase be bound to come from around 1550, although it is possible the phrase was used even earlier. The modern meaning of be bound to comes from an older sense of the word bound, meaning “obliged” or “compelled.”

Be bound to is used to express a lot of confidence in a future event or outcome. You wouldn’t use it if you were guessing or were unsure about what will happen. Similarly, be bound to is used to describe a person who is filled with conviction and dedication rather than a person who is hesitant or undecided.

Did you know … ?

What are some synonyms for be bound to?

What are some words that share a root or word element with be bound to? 

What are some words that often get used in discussing be bound to?

What are some words be bound to may be commonly confused with?

How is be bound to used in real life?

Be bound to is a phrase most frequently used to state that something is definitely going to happen.

Try using be bound to!

Is be bound to used correctly in the following sentence?

It was bound to rain today, so I brought an umbrella just in case.

FEEDBACK