lend

[ lend ]

verb (used with object)

, lent, lend·ing.

1. to grant the use of (something) on condition that it or its equivalent will be returned.
2. to give (money) on condition that it is returned and often that interest is paid for its temporary use.
3. to give or contribute obligingly or helpfully:

   to lend one's aid to a cause.

4. to adapt (oneself or itself ) to something:

   The building should lend itself to inexpensive remodeling.

5. to furnish or impart:

   Distance lends enchantment to the view.

verb (used without object)

, lent, lend·ing.

1. to make a loan.

lend

/ lɛnd /

verb

1. tr to permit the use of (something) with the expectation of return of the same or an equivalent
2. to provide (money) temporarily, often at interest
3. intr to provide loans, esp as a profession
4. tr to impart or contribute (something, esp some abstract quality)

   her presence lent beauty

5. tr to provide, esp in order to assist or support

   he lent his skill to the company

6. lend an ear
   to listen
7. lend itself
   to possess the right characteristics or qualities for

   the novel lends itself to serialization

8. lend oneself
   to give support, cooperation, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈlender, noun

Other Words From

• lender noun
• inter·lend verb interlent interlending
• over·lend verb overlent overlending
• re·lend verb (used with object) relent relending

Word History and Origins

Origin of lend¹

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; loan ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lend¹

C15 lende (originally the past tense), from Old English lǣnan, from lǣn loan ¹; related to Icelandic lāna, Old High German lēhanōn

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. lend a hand, to give help; aid:

   If everyone lends a hand, we can have dinner ready in half an hour.

Example Sentences

The importance of territory to both sides is the strength it lends to their position in any potential negotiations.

From BBC

A quarter of the UK's biggest mortgage providers will not lend against homes with spray foam in the roof, our research suggests.

From BBC

More importantly, Lovett lends majestic voice to the rhythms of Beckett’s play, originally written in French but conceived by an Irish imagination and translated by Beckett himself.

From Los Angeles Times

Niemeier, 25, has a powerful game which lent itself to success on the Wimbledon grass but, after a strong start against Raducanu, her service game disintegrated and confidence seemed to sap.

From BBC

Ware’s vocals lend a dreamy, devotional quality to Salute’s garage-inspired beat, which briefly drops out toward the end for a quick trip to church, complete with a heavenly choir of multi-tracked Wares.

From New York Times

Related Words

• add
• afford
• allow
• contribute
• extend
• give
• grant
• impart
• provide
• supply