bound
BOWND
Bound (adj) means Obliged to do something, often by law, duty, or promise. Example: “The company is bound by contract to deliver the goods on time.”
adj
1
Obliged to do something, often by law, duty, or promise.
"The company is bound by contract to deliver the goods on time."
"As a witness, you are bound to tell the truth in court."
"I feel bound by my promise, even though it has become inconvenient."
2
Heading toward a particular place.
"The ferry is bound for Calais."
"Is this train bound for Manchester, or does it stop at Crewe?"
"The cargo ship, bound for Hull, left the harbour at dawn."
3
Certain or very likely to happen.
"With that much rain, flooding was bound to happen."
"If you keep leaving things to the last minute, you are bound to make mistakes."
"She practises daily, so she is bound to pass the exam."
noun
1
A limit or boundary, often used in the plural.
"His behaviour was well within the bounds of the law."
"Some of the fans' jokes went beyond the bounds of good taste."
"Her curiosity knew no bounds, and she asked questions about everything."
verb
1
To leap or spring, moving forward in jumps.
"The dog bounded across the field to greet them."
"The deer bounded away into the trees when we came near."
"Children bounded down the stairs on the first morning of the holidays."
How to use bound
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishObliged to do something, heading somewhere, certain to happen, or (as a noun) a limit; also, to leap.
Common pairings
bound to happen
bound for
out of bounds
duty-bound
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Word forms
- Plural
- bounds
- Third person singular
- bounds
- Past tense
- bounded
- Comparative
- more bound
- Superlative
- most bound
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company is _____ by contract to deliver the goods on time.
Etymology
From Middle English bound/bounden, the past participle of "bind" — something "bound" was originally something tied or fastened.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unbound
free
Related words
Rhymes for bound
See all rhymes for bound →Frequently asked questions
What does “bound” mean?
The word “bound” means obliged to do something, often by law, duty, or promise. In plain terms, obliged to do something, heading somewhere, certain to happen, or (as a noun) a limit; also, to leap.
How do you pronounce “bound”?
“Bound” is pronounced BOWND (/ˈbaʊ̯nd/ in IPA).
How do you use “bound” in a sentence?
Here is “bound” used in a sentence: “The company is bound by contract to deliver the goods on time.”
What is the opposite of “bound”?
The opposite of “bound” — its antonyms — is free.
What part of speech is “bound”?
Depending on how it is used, “bound” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bound” come from?
The word “bound” comes from Middle English. From Middle English bound/bounden, the past participle of "bind" — something "bound" was originally something tied or fastened.
Is “bound” a common word?
“Bound” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “bound” have?
“Bound” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: obliged to do something, often by law, duty, or promise.
What does it mean to be bound to do something?
To be bound to do something is to be obliged to do it, whether by law, duty, a promise, or strong moral pressure. A witness is bound to tell the truth; a friend may feel bound to help. It describes an obligation you cannot easily set aside without breaking a rule or your word.
What is the difference between bound and obligated?
The two are close in meaning, and both describe having to do something. Obligated is fairly neutral and often about specific duties. Bound tends to feel stronger and more binding, suggesting a tie of law, honour, or promise you cannot escape. The phrase duty-bound captures that firm, almost unbreakable sense.
Does bound have other meanings?
Yes, several. Besides meaning obliged, bound can mean tied up, as with bound hands; heading somewhere, as in a train bound for London; or a leap, as in bounding across a field. It is also the past tense of bind. Context makes clear which sense is meant.
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