adj
borne
bawn
adj
1
Carried or supported — used especially as a suffix in words like "airborne" or "waterborne."
"The disease is borne by mosquitoes."
"She has borne the responsibility for years without complaint."
How to Use Borne
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCarried or endured — used for things transmitted or burdens shouldered, not for the act of being born.
Common mistake
Reserve "born" strictly for birth; use "borne" for everything else related to carrying or enduring.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
airborne
waterborne
borne out of necessity
Word Forms
Bornes plural
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The disease is _____ by mosquitoes.
Etymology
From Old English "boren," the past participle of "beran" ("to carry, bear") — the same origin as "born," but "borne" kept the general "carried/endured" meaning.