What is fold? Pronunciation and usage in English

fold means . Learn how to pronounce and use fold through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of fold

foldverb

/fəʊld/
Definition & pronunciation of fold

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "fold" in English. There are a couple of common pronunciations, and they depend slightly on regional accents. Here's a breakdown:

1. Most Common Pronunciation (General American & British):

  • Sounds: /fɔld/

  • Breakdown:

    • "f" – Pronounced as in "fun" – a clear /f/ sound.
    • "o" – This is a short "o" sound, like in "hot" or "lot." It's a slightly open vowel.
    • "ld" – Pronounced as a single sound, like "old" or "cold." The "d" is often very soft and quick.

  • Combined: It flows together: “fol-d”

2. Southern American Pronunciation (often called "Drawl"):

  • Sounds: /foʊld/

  • Breakdown:

    • "f" – Same as above: /f/
    • "o" – This is the key difference! It's a longer, more drawn-out “o” sound, almost like "oh." It's a diphthong (a combination of two vowel sounds). Think of the "o" in "go."
    • "ld" – Same as above, a quick "ld" sound.

  • Combined: “foh-ld” – Notice how the "o" is elongated.

Here's a way to hear the pronunciation and compare:

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Don't overemphasize the "o": Whether you're using the short 'o' or the long 'oh' sound, avoid making it sound forced.
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear how people actually say it.

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (roughly)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) This will help me narrow down the most likely pronunciation you'll hear.

Usage and examples with the word fold in English

Let's break down how to use the word "fold" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by usage:

1. To Bend or Curve (Physical Action)

  • Definition: To bend or curve something, often with a sharp angle.
  • Examples:
    • "Fold the laundry." (Folding clothes)
    • "Fold the paper in half." (Creating a crease)
    • "The river folded around the bend." (Curving)
    • "Fold your arms." (Bringing your arms together)

2. To Collapse or Close (Things like Paper & Fabric)

  • Definition: To bring together, especially in a way that creates a neat shape.
  • Examples:
    • "Fold the napkin." (Neatly arranging a napkin)
    • "Fold the tablecloth." (Smoothing it out and bringing edges together)
    • "Fold the map." (Folding it for portability)
    • "Fold clothes carefully to avoid wrinkles." (Making neat folds)

3. To Enter or Join a Group/Organization

  • Definition: To become a member of a group or to agree to follow someone's rules.
  • Examples:
    • "He folded into the army." (Enlisted)
    • "She folded to the rules of the competition." (Agreed to follow them)
    • "The company folded after losing money." (Went out of business, ceased to exist) – This is a common figurative use.

4. To Crease or Wrinkle (Figurative)

  • Definition: To create lines of worry or trouble on someone’s face.
  • Examples:
    • “The news seemed to fold her face in grief.” (Made her face look sad and wrinkled)
    • “His brow folded in concentration.” (He furrowed his brow)

5. (Verb - Past tense/Past participle: folded)

  • Definition: To bring together in a way that creates a line or crease.
  • Examples:
    • "I folded the letter and addressed it." (Past tense)
    • "The seam was folded over the edge." (Past participle – often used with “has” or “had”)

6. (Noun - Meaning "Collapse" or "Disappearance")

  • Definition: To cease to exist; to go out of business. (Often used of companies or organizations).
  • Examples:
    • “The small business finally folded due to lack of customers.”
    • “The politician's career folded after the scandal.”

7. (Noun - Meaning "Crease" or "Ridge")

  • Definition: A wrinkle or ridge in something (often terrain).
  • Examples:
    • “The road wound through the valley following the fold of the land.”
    • "The mountains have a dramatic fold.”

8. (Figurative - To Yield/Give In)

  • Definition: To concede or give in to a demand or pressure. This is a less common usage.
  • Example: “He finally folded under the pressure.” (Meaning he gave in).

Here's a quick table to summarize:

Meaning Part of Speech Example
Bend/Curve Verb Fold the paper
Close/Neatly Arrange Verb Fold the napkin
Join a Group Verb Fold into the team
Crease (face) Verb Her face folded in pain
Past Tense/Participle Verb I folded the shirt
Collapse/Disappear Noun The company folded
Crease/Ridge Noun The fold in the road

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to use "fold" in a sentence for? (Give me a brief example of what you're trying to say.)

Synonyms for the word fold

Idioms of the word fold

fold your arms
to put one of your arms over the other one and hold them against your body
  • He stood watching her with his arms folded across his chest.
  • She folded her arms and stared at him.
fold your hands
to bring or hold your hands together
  • She kept her hands folded in her lap.
fold somebody in your arms
(literary)to put your arms around somebody and hold them against your body

    Practice with vocabulary fold

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. Please carefully ______ the report in half before placing it in the envelope to avoid damage.
    2. The startup had to ______ its operations after failing to secure a second round of funding.
    3. After unpacking, she noticed a deep ______ in the fabric of her new dress, likely from being packed too tightly.
    4. During the brainstorming session, the team decided to ______ all the new ideas into a single, comprehensive proposal.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

    1. Which actions describe the process of carefully preparing a document for mailing by reducing its size? a) Pleat b) Crease c) Fold d) Crumple

    2. If a business entity ceases its operations permanently due to financial insolvency, it is said to: a) consolidate b) expand c) liquidate d) fold

    3. When a person sits with their arms _______, it often indicates a closed-off or defensive posture. a) crossed b) clasped c) folded d) intertwined

    4. The architect advised that the building's new design would require the steel beams to _______ slightly at the joint for structural integrity. a) curve b) straighten c) expand d) bend

    5. During the fabric production, special machines are used to create permanent, sharp _______ in the material for garment design. a) wrinkles b) creases c) ripples d) pleats

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The small bakery was forced to close down last month due to a significant drop in customer demand. (Rewrite using "fold" or a related word form.)
    2. Gently mix the whipped cream into the fruit salad to maintain its airy texture. (Rewrite using "fold" or a related word form.)
    3. The old map had many lines and marks from being repeatedly bent and stored. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, not "fold".)

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. fold
    2. fold
    3. crease (or wrinkle)
    4. integrate (or incorporate, compile, synthesize)

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. c) Fold
    2. c) liquidate, d) fold
    3. a) crossed, c) folded
    4. a) curve, d) bend
    5. b) creases, d) pleats

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The small bakery was forced to fold last month due to a significant drop in customer demand.
    2. Gently fold the whipped cream into the fruit salad to maintain its airy texture.
    3. The old map had many creases from being repeatedly bent and stored. (or wrinkles)

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