26984 words

lend

10 definitions • 19 examples
1
to give something to someone for a short period of time, expecting it to be given back:

Examples:

She doesn't like lending her books.
[ + two objects ] If you need a coat I can lend you one/lend one to you.
2
If a bank or other organization lends money, it gives money to someone who agrees that they will pay the money back in the future, usually with extra money added to the original amount:

Examples:

The bank refuses to lend to students.
[ + two objects ] The bank agreed to lend him $5,000.
3
If something lends a particular quality to something else, it adds that quality to it:

Examples:

[ + two objects ] Vases of flowers all around the room lent the place a cheerful look/lent a cheerful look to the place.
formal These events lend support to the view that the law is inadequate.
4
If something lends itself to something else, it is suitable for that thing or can be considered in that way:

Examples:

The novel's complex, imaginative style does not lend itself to translation.
5
to give something to someone for a short period of time, expecting it to be given back:

Examples:

Can you lend me a few dollars till payday?
6
if a bank or other financial organization lends money to someone, it gives them money for a period of time which they then pay back with interest:

Examples:

Britain's building societies chiefly lend money for house purchase.
lend $5,000/£2bn/€1m, etc. to sb The Ohio Development Financing Advisory Council agreed to lend $20 million to the Port Authority.
lend sb $5,000/£2bn/€1m, etc. A number of prominent businessmen are rumoured to have lent the Party over £20 million.
lend to sb/sth Banks have been heavily criticized for lending to people who cannot afford the repayments.
7
to give someone something for a period of time, after which they will give it back to you:

Examples:

lend sb sth Can you lend me $20?
lend sth to sb Her tasks included persuading stores to offer discounts or lend clothes on approval to her boss.
8
to give something a quality that makes it better in some way:

Examples:

lend sth to sth We hope that these measures will lend stability to the economy.
lend weight (to sth) February's trade figures lend weight to the Fund's less cheerful view.
lend credence/credibility (to sth) Other evidence helped lend credibility to their claims.
9
to do something that helps a company or person:

Examples:

The Federal Reserve is expected to lend a hand by continuing to cut interest rates forcefully.
10
to support someone or something:

Examples:

I have lent my support to his plan for a private referendum.

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