adjective B1 Intermediate Common

bent

behnt

Bent (adjective) means Curved, folded, or twisted out of its original straight shape. Example: “The bike's front wheel was badly bent after the crash.”

adjective

Curved, folded, or twisted out of its original straight shape.

"The bike's front wheel was badly bent after the crash."

Corrupt or dishonest, especially describing an official.

"The film centers on a bent cop who takes bribes from local gangs."

Strongly determined to do something.

"She seemed bent on proving everyone wrong."

"He was bent on finishing the marathon no matter how tired he got."

noun

A natural inclination, skill, or tendency.

"He always had a bent for fixing things with his hands."

How to use bent

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPhysically curved or twisted, or, figuratively, someone who is corrupt or firmly set on doing something.

When to use it

"Bent" meaning corrupt is chiefly British informal usage, especially for dishonest police officers or officials.

Common pairings

bent on revenge bent cop a natural bent for something

Word forms

benter comparative, more bent comparative, bents plural, bents plural, Bents plural, bentest superlative, most bent superlative

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The bike's front wheel was badly _____ after the crash.

Etymology

From the past-tense and past-participle forms of Middle English benden, "to bend."

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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inclination aptitude flair knack leaning penchant predilection proclivity propensity

Related words

power style potential ability moves talent smell skill

Rhymes for bent

ent went sent vent rent dent gent tent Kent pent Lent spent

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Frequently asked questions

What does “bent” mean?

The word “bent” means curved, folded, or twisted out of its original straight shape. In plain terms, physically curved or twisted, or, figuratively, someone who is corrupt or firmly set on doing something.

How do you pronounce “bent”?

“Bent” is pronounced behnt (/bɛnt/ in IPA).

How do you use “bent” in a sentence?

Here is “bent” used in a sentence: “The bike's front wheel was badly bent after the crash.”

What is another word for “bent”?

Words with a similar meaning to “bent” include predilection, proclivity and propensity.

What part of speech is “bent”?

Depending on how it is used, “bent” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “bent” come from?

The word “bent” comes from Middle English. From the past-tense and past-participle forms of Middle English benden, "to bend.".

Is “bent” a common word?

“Bent” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “bent” have?

“Bent” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: curved, folded, or twisted out of its original straight shape.

Is it "bent" or "bended"?

The normal past tense and past participle of bend is bent: "she bent the wire," "the frame got bent." Bended survives only in the fixed expression on bended knee (or knees), used for proposals and earnest pleading.

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