lend

verb

\ ˈlend

lent\ ˈlent

\; lending

Definition of lend

transitive verb

1a(1) : to give for temporary use on condition that the same or its equivalent be returned lend me your pen

(2) : to put at another's temporary disposal lent us their services

b : to let out (money) for temporary use on condition of repayment with interest The bank lent him the money for home improvements.

2a : to give the assistance or support of : afford, furnish a dispassionate and scholarly manner which lends great force to his criticisms — The Times Literary Supplement (London)

b : to adapt or apply (oneself) readily : accommodate a topic that lends itself admirably to class discussion

intransitive verb

: to make a loan

Other Words from lend Synonyms & Antonyms Loan vs. Lend: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Learn More about lend

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for lend

Synonyms

advance, loan

Antonyms

borrow

Loan vs. Lend: Usage Guide

The verb loan is one of the words English settlers brought to America and continued to use after it had died out in Britain. Its use was soon noticed by British visitors and somewhat later by the New England literati, who considered it a bit provincial. It was flatly declared wrong in 1870 by a popular commentator, who based his objection on etymology. A later scholar showed that the commentator was ignorant of Old English and thus unsound in his objection, but by then it was too late, as the condemnation had been picked up by many other commentators. Although a surprising number of critics still voice objections, loan is entirely standard as a verb. You should note that it is used only literally; lend is the verb used for figurative expressions, such as "lending a hand" or "lending enchantment."

Examples of lend in a Sentence

I lent our ladder to the neighbors. The bank wouldn't lend us the money. Many banks won't lend to people with bad credit. They are glad to lend their support to worthy causes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Take on Thursday and Friday with intensity, as the Scorpio Moon lends you the bravery to take on any challenge. — Venus Australis, refinery29.com, "Your Horoscope This Week," 9 June 2019 Dance doesn't lend itself to literal storytelling, so Forbidden Paths instead uses dramatic, theatrical imagery to make its points. — Dallas News, "Dallas dance troupe premieres piece protesting laws that discourage women in Iran from dancing," 7 June 2019 Tourism remains a major industry in Greece, but Antikythera doesn’t lend itself easily to the sort of tourism that draws throngs of visitors to other islands such as Santorini and Mykonos. — Maria Petrakis, latimes.com, "Wanted: People willing to live on a beautiful, remote Greek island," 6 June 2019 Casting lends itself to the conceit: on April 29, Hamlet was played by a biracial man who dresses in drag, ukulele in hand. — Nicole Blackwood, chicagotribune.com, "'Hamlet' by the Back Room Shakespeare Project is not your mother's Shakespeare," 6 June 2019 The longevity of the practice has lent itself to multiple generations of patients. — Emily Sorensen, Pomerado News, "RB dental office focuses on preventative care," 6 June 2019 Of course, these wild outfits (and accompanying poses) lended themselves brilliantly to some great jokes, and Twitter was armed and ready. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "These 20 Met Gala Memes Hilariously Roast Fashion's Biggest Night," 6 May 2019 Even if, at first glance, 501s and the desert heat don’t exactly seem like an ideal pairing, Levi’s presence on the festival circuit proves that the brand’s bread and butter lends itself to a range of scenarios—and climates. — Sarah Morse, Glamour, "5 Perfect Summer Outfits With Jeans, Courtesy of Celebrities," 22 Apr. 2019 Lavender’s fragrance lends itself to soaps, sachets and a variety of body-care products. — Dean Fosdick, The Seattle Times, "Lavender: The ‘Swiss Army knife’ of fragrant herbs," 26 Mar. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for lend

lender

noun

Financial Definition of lender

What It Is

A lender is a creditor or any entity to which you owe money for services provided.

How It Works

If you borrow money from XYZ Bank, XYZ Bank becomes your lender. Lenders are creditors, but not all creditors are lenders. For example, utility companies, health clubs, phone companies and credit card issuers can all be creditors if you have contracts with them or if they have performed services for which you have not yet paid.

Some lenders are more senior than others. For example, if Company XYZ issues bonds, the bondholders are essentially lenders who are senior to Company XYZ's shareholders. This means that should Company XYZ go bankrupt, the bondholders are entitled to repayment before the shareholders are.

In many cases, companies have several different types of debt, and some of these lenders may be subordinate to others. Some lenders may even be unsecured, meaning that the company has not pledged any collateral.

Why It Matters

Lenders may sue to obtain access to accounts or other assets if the borrower has not paid. Lenders may also place liens on the borrower's assets, meaning that the borrower cannot sell the assets without paying the lender first. In addition, lenders could report the problem to a credit bureau, which may place the item on the borrower's credit report.

Source: Investing Answers

lend

verb