WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
lend /lɛnd/USA pronunciation
v., lent/lɛnt/USA pronunciation lend•ing.
lend•er, n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to grant the use of (something) on condition that it or its equivalent will be returned: [~ + object]He doesn't like to lend things.[~ + object + to + object]He lent his lawnmower to me.[~ + object + object]He lent me his lawnmower.
- to give (money) on condition that it is returned and that interest is paid for its temporary use: [~ + object]The bank lends money at high interest rates.[~ + object + to + object]The bank wouldn't lend the money to him.[~ + object + object]The bank refused to lend him money.
- Library Science(of a library) to allow the use of (books and other materials) outside library premises for a certain period: [~ + object]The library lends videotapes.[~ + object + to + object]That library will lend videotapes to anyone living in the vicinity.[~ + object + object]The library will lend you the videotapes.
- to give or contribute willingly or helpfully: [~ + object]always there lending support.[~ + object + to + object]lent their support to the cause.[~ + object + object]He lent their cause his support.
- to adapt (itself or oneself ) to something;
be suitable for:[not: be + ~-ing;~ + oneself + to]The building lends itself to inexpensive remodeling. - to give, confer, furnish, or impart (a quality) to something: [~ + object + to + object]A fireplace lends coziness to a room.[~ + object + object]The use of a warm color there lends the room cheeriness.
- Idioms lend a hand, to give help;
aid: [no object]Can you lend a hand with this job?[~ + object + a hand]Can you lend us a hand?[~ + to + object]Lend a hand to the others.
lend•er, n. [countable]
- See borrow.
lend
(lend),USA pronunciation v., lent, lend•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
lend′er, n.
v.t.
- to grant the use of (something) on condition that it or its equivalent will be returned.
- to give (money) on condition that it is returned and that interest is paid for its temporary use.
- to give or contribute obligingly or helpfully:to lend one's aid to a cause.
- to adapt (oneself or itself ) to something:The building should lend itself to inexpensive remodeling.
- to furnish or impart:Distance lends enchantment to the view.
v.i.
- to make a loan.
- Idioms lend a hand, to give help;
aid:If everyone lends a hand, we can have dinner ready in half an hour.
- bef. 900; Middle English lenden, variant (origin, originally past tense) of lenen, Old English lǣnan (cognate with Dutch lenen, German lehnen, Old Norse lāna), derivative of lǣn loan; cognate with German Lehnen, Old Norse lān. See loan1
'lender' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):