borrow

verb

bor·​row ˈbär-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce borrow (audio)
ˈbȯr-
borrowed; borrowing; borrows

transitive verb

1
a
: to receive with the implied or expressed intention of returning the same or an equivalent
borrow a book from the library
borrowed a dollar
borrowing a cup of sugar from a neighbor
b
finance : to borrow (money) with the intention of returning the same plus interest (see interest entry 1 sense 3a)
borrow money from the bank
2
a
: to appropriate for one's own use
borrow a metaphor from Shakespeare
b
: derive, adopt
traditions borrowed from African polytheism
3
mathematics : to take (one) from a digit of the minuend in arithmetical subtraction in order to add as 10 to the digit holding the next lower place
4
: to adopt into one language from another
The English word "entrepreneur" was borrowed from French.
5
dialect : lend
Borrow me your pencil.

intransitive verb

: to borrow something
borrows heavily from Nietzsche
borrower noun
Phrases
borrow trouble
: to do something unnecessarily that may result in adverse reaction or repercussions

Examples of borrow in a Sentence

The twins often borrow each other's clothes. I'm borrowing a friend's car for the weekend. He borrowed the book from the library. Will you see if we can borrow a cup of sugar from the neighbors? She borrowed $20 from me. The speech was peppered with phrases borrowed from Winston Churchill. She borrowed the technique from local artisans.
Recent Examples on the Web Need to borrow tools for a home improvement project? Chesnie Wardell, Journal Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024 The casino operator had access to $4.4 billion for borrowing under its U.S., SCL, and Singapore revolving credit facilities. Trefis Team, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 Though some outlets claimed it was plucked directly from Victoria’s closet, Peltz admits it was borrowed from another source. Hannah Malach, WWD, 29 Sep. 2024 Meanwhile Beard ticked off his something borrowed by wearing a tie handed down by his father from 1981. Yasmeen Hamadeh, People.com, 28 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for borrow 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'borrow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English borwen, from Old English borgian; akin to Old English beorgan to preserve — more at bury

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of borrow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near borrow

Cite this Entry

“Borrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/borrow. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

borrow

verb
bor·​row ˈbär-ō How to pronounce borrow (audio)
ˈbȯr-
1
: to take or receive something with the promise or intention of returning it
2
: to take for one's own use something begun or thought up by another : adopt
borrow an idea
3
: to take 1 from the digit in a minuend and add it as 10 to the digit in the next lower place
borrower noun

Legal Definition

borrow

transitive verb
bor·​row
: to take or receive temporarily
specifically : to receive (money) with the intention of returning the same plus interest
borrower noun

Biographical Definition

Borrow

biographical name

Bor·​row ˈbär-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce Borrow (audio)
George Henry 1803–1881 English author

More from Merriam-Webster on borrow

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