borrow

¹

[ bor-oh, bawr-oh ]

verb (used with object)

1. to take or obtain with the promise to return the same or an equivalent:

   Our neighbor borrowed my lawn mower.

2. 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.

   Synonyms: plagiarize, pirate, copy, get, take, acquire

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

verb (used without object)

1. to borrow something:

   Don't borrow unless you intend to repay.

2. Nautical.
   1. to sail close to the wind; luff.
   2. to sail close to the shore.
3. 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.

Borrow

²

[ bor-oh, bawr-oh ]

noun

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

borrow

¹

/ ˈbɒrəʊ /

verb

1. 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
2. to adopt (ideas, words, etc) from another source; appropriate
3. not_standard.
   to lend
4. golf to putt the ball uphill of the direct path to the hole
5. intr golf (of a ball) to deviate from a straight path because of the slope of the ground

noun

1. golf a deviation of a ball from a straight path because of the slope of the ground

   a left borrow

2. material dug from a borrow pit to provide fill at another
3. living on borrowed time
   1. living an unexpected extension of life
   2. close to death

Borrow

²

/ ˈbɒrəʊ /

noun

1. BorrowGeorge (Henry)18031881MEnglishTRAVEL AND EXPLORATION: travellerWRITING: writer 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)

Usage

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

Derived Forms

• ˈborrower, noun

Other Words From

• borrow·a·ble adjective
• borrow·er noun
• non·borrowed adjective
• non·borrow·er noun
• over·borrow verb
• un·borrowed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of borrow¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English borowen, Old English borgian “to borrow, lend,” verb derivative of borg “a pledge”; cognate with Dutch borg “a pledge,” borgen “to charge, give credit,” German Borg “credit,” borgen “to take on credit”

Word History and Origins

Origin of borrow¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

More idioms and phrases containing borrow

In addition to the idiom beginning with borrow , also see beg, borrow, or steal ; on borrowed time .

Example Sentences

Undergraduate students will also be able to borrow more for day-to-day living costs.

From BBC

On 7 November, the Bank of England cut the base rate - which influences the wider cost of borrowing for businesses, individuals and the government - from 5% to 4.75%.

From BBC

"We now understand how these stunning colours can evolve in wild animals through a simple dial-like 'molecular switch' that 'borrows' a detoxifying protein to serve a new function," Carneiro concludes.

From Science Daily

The unitary council in south Essex became effectively bankrupt two years ago after it borrowed and invested hundreds of millions and racked up a £1.5bn debt.

From BBC

Undergraduate students in England will be able to borrow more for day-to-day living costs next year.

From BBC

Related Words

• acquire
• adopt
• assume
• copy
• obtain
• steal
• use