lend

verb

ˈlend 

lent ˈlent  ; lending

transitive verb

1

a(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

She's always there to lend a (helping) hand. [=help]

b

: to let out (money) for temporary use on condition of repayment with interest

The bank lent him the money for home improvements.

2

a

: to give the assistance or support of : afford, furnish

evidence that lends credence/credibility to their claim

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

lendable

ˈlen-də-bəl 

adjective

lender noun

Loan vs. Lend: Usage Guide

When English speakers first settled in North America, they brought with them loan as both a verb and a noun: one could get a loan, and one could loan a book to a friend. (The verb lend was also available, making it possible to lend a book to a friend as well.) The verb use of loan died out in Britain, but continued to be used in American English, thereby attracting some negative attention as a dialect term. Warnings against loan as a verb followed and can still be heard, but the use is perfectly standard. The verb loan is only encountered literally; one only lends a hand, never loans it.

Synonyms of lend

• give
• loan

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

And as the budget deficit heads toward $2 trillion a year with no sign of lawmakers trying to rein it in, the market is getting skittish about continuing to lend to the federal government at such levels. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026

Pumpkin-Praline Muffins Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and pumpkin lend great flavor to these grab-and-go muffins. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 6 Sep. 2026

Cinematographer Kim Ji-yong’s camera never intrudes, lending grace and honesty to the character studies, while Jung Jae-il’s ravishing piano and string score heightens the emotions without becoming manipulative. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026

Jacir and actor Adam Bakri both lend their voices to the film’s readings of revolutionary poetry. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lenen, (15th century) lenden "to give, bestow, give for temporary use," going back to Old English lǣnan, derivative of lǣn "something lent, grant, gift" — more at loan entry 1

Note: The -d- in late Middle English lenden, continued into Modern English, was imported from the past lende and the past participle lent, apparently by association with verbs such as bend entry 1, send entry 1, wend, where the dental consonant was part of the base form.

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing lend

• give/lend me a hand with
• give/lend one's name to
• lend a hand
• lend itself to
• lend-lease
• lend one's name
• lend weight/credence/credibility

Rhymes for lend

• blend
• blende
• denned
• end
• fend
• friend
• mend
• penned
• send
• spend
• tend
• trend

Kids Definition

lend

verb

ˈlend 

lent ˈlent  ; lending

1

a

: to give to another for temporary use with the understanding that it or a like thing will be returned

lend a book

b

: to let out (money) for temporary use with the understanding that it will be paid back with interest

banks and other lending institutions

2

: to give usually for a time

lend assistance

3

: to have the quality or nature that makes suitable

a voice that lends itself to opera

lender noun

Legal Definition

lend

verb

lent; lending

transitive verb

1

: to give for temporary use on condition that the same or its equivalent be returned

2

: to let out (money) for temporary use on condition of repayment with interest

intransitive verb

: to make a loan

lendable adjective

lender noun