lend

verb

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\ 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

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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 Brower also remains concerned after touring the U.S. that cities from Seattle to Charleston, South Carolina, face similar problems with their older buildings, which can lend character to cities but also danger. — Nick Perry, Star Tribune, "10 years after Christchurch quake, survivors share stories," 18 Feb. 2021 Since Visa doesn’t lend, rising credit delinquencies have little to no impact on its business. — Dallas News, "The Motley Fool: Visa sticks to payment processing and leaves the lending to others," 14 Feb. 2021 One reason dividends fell so much in the last downturn is lenders grew cautious and wouldn’t lend to companies already considered to be risky. — Brian Spegele And Laura Cooper, WSJ, "Risky Loans Secure Private-Equity Payouts Despite Downturn," 17 Dec. 2020 State treasuries and private sector banks, which lend only on the prospect of things getting better, not worse, are left impotent by disasters like this one. — Robert Hockett, The New Republic, "Why Joe Biden Can Stop Worrying and Start Spending Like Crazy," 1 Dec. 2020 The Variety story makes no predictions about when or where the play might first be produced, but Hampton’s name does lend some clout to the project. — al, "Report: Oscar-winning writer has play on slain Alabama rights activist," 30 Nov. 2020 Her casually devastating assessments of other characters and her sardonic narration lend the novel its insider chattiness. — Crispin Long, The New Yorker, "The Insider Insights of “Detransition, Baby”," 31 Jan. 2021 Further criminalizing extremist violence would lend the institution of law enforcement more power. — Melissa Gira Grant, The New Republic, "How Do You Deradicalize a Cop?," 26 Jan. 2021 Dot from Animaniacs and Daisy Duck) all lend their voices to the series. — Ashley Chervinski, refinery29.com, "The Disenchantment Voice Cast Has A Little GBBO Energy," 16 Jan. 2021

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.