borrow
BO-roh
Borrow (verb) means to take or receive something temporarily, intending to give it back. Example: “Could I borrow your umbrella until tomorrow?”
verb
1
To take or receive something temporarily, intending to give it back.
"Could I borrow your umbrella until tomorrow?"
"Can I borrow your pen for a second?"
"She borrowed a large sum of money from the bank to buy the house."
2
To adopt an idea, word, or style from somewhere else and use it as your own.
"The architect borrowed ideas from traditional Japanese houses."
"Many chefs borrow techniques from other cuisines."
"English has borrowed thousands of words from French."
How to use borrow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo take something temporarily with the intention of returning it, or to adopt an idea or word from elsewhere.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "borrow" (to take) with "lend" (to give) — "Can you lend me your pen?" not "Can you borrow me your pen?"
Easily confused with
Common pairings
borrow money
borrow an idea
borrow a word
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Word forms
- Plural
- borrows
- Third person singular
- borrows
- Past tense
- borrowed
- Archaic forms
- borrowest, borrowedst, borroweth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Could I _____ your umbrella until tomorrow?
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."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for borrow
See all rhymes for 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.
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