borrow
9 synonyms and 6 antonyms for borrow, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To take or receive something temporarily, intending to give it back.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use borrow
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English "borgian" ("to lend, pledge, borrow"), related to the idea of taking care of or vouching for something — ultimately connected to the word "bury" in an older sense of "protect."
Full origin of borrow →Frequently asked questions
What does “borrow” mean?
The word “borrow” means to take or receive something temporarily, intending to give it back. In plain terms, to take something temporarily with the intention of returning it, or to adopt an idea or word from elsewhere.
How do you pronounce “borrow”?
“Borrow” is pronounced BO-roh (/ˈbɑɹ.oʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “borrow” in a sentence?
Here is “borrow” used in a sentence: “Can I borrow your pen for a second?”
What is another word for “borrow”?
Words with a similar meaning to “borrow” include creance, desume and scunge.
What is the opposite of “borrow”?
The opposite of “borrow” — its antonyms — are give back, lend, return, carry and buy.
What part of speech is “borrow”?
“Borrow” is a verb.
Where does the word “borrow” come from?
The word “borrow” comes from Old English. From Old English "borgian" ("to lend, pledge, borrow"), related to the idea of taking care of or vouching for something — ultimately connected to the word "bury" in an older sense of "protect.".
Is “borrow” a common word?
“Borrow” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between borrow and lend?
Borrow means to take something temporarily; lend means to give it temporarily. The borrower receives and the lender gives: "May I borrow your pen?" but "Can you lend me your pen?" Mixing them up, as in "Can you borrow me a pen?", is a common error in standard English.
Is it correct to say "borrow me"?
No. In standard English you cannot borrow something to a person; you lend it. Say "lend me your charger" or "let me borrow your charger" instead of "borrow me your charger," which occurs in some dialects but is considered nonstandard.
Is it "borrow from" or "borrow off"?
Standard English uses borrow from: "I borrowed the ladder from a neighbor." "Borrow off" and "borrow off of" are heard in informal speech but are best avoided in writing. The thing borrowed takes no preposition at all: borrow a book, borrow money.
What is a borrowed word?
A borrowed word, also called a loanword or a borrowing, is a word one language adopts from another, such as English taking "piano" from Italian. This reflects the second sense of borrow: to take an idea, word, or style from elsewhere and use it as your own. Despite the name, the words are never given back.