borrow
BAWR-oh
/ˈbɒroʊ/
To take and use (something belonging to someone else) with the intention of returning it.
Implies a temporary transfer of possession with an explicit or implicit agreement to return the item or an equivalent amount.
The story behind the word. The word 'borrow' comes from the Old English verb 'borgian,' meaning 'to pledge, to bail, to borrow.' This term is related to 'borg,' meaning 'a pledge' or 'security.' Over time, the sense of 'pledge' evolved into the more common meaning of 'to take something with the intention of returning it,' especially money.
Word relationships
- take out: Often used for formal loans, e.g., 'take out a loan.'
- obtain: Broader term, doesn't necessarily imply an obligation to return.
- lend: To give something to someone for temporary use.
- give: To transfer possession permanently without expectation of return.
Commonly confused with
- lend: 'Borrow' is to receive something temporarily; 'lend' is to give something temporarily.
Word family
- borrower (noun): A person who borrows something.
Collocations
- borrow money
- borrow a book
- borrow a tool
- borrow heavily
Idioms & expressions
- borrow trouble (to invite difficulties)
Example sentences
- "Could I borrow your car for the weekend? Mine is in the shop." A friend asking for help.
- "The startup had to borrow heavily from venture capitalists to fund its expansion." A company seeking funds.
- "Many students are forced to borrow money to afford higher education." From a news article.
Memory hook
You 'borrow' from a 'bro' (friend) and promise to return it. Bro-rrow
When not to use
Do not use 'borrow' if you do not intend to return the item or its equivalent; that would be stealing or receiving a gift.
Fun facts
- The concept of 'borrowing' is fundamental to all economies, enabling investment and consumption beyond immediate means.
Explore more words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.