What is lend? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of lend

lendverb

/lɛnd/
Definition & pronunciation of lend

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "lend" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /lɛnd/ (rhymes with "send")

Let's break that down further:

  1. "Le-": This part sounds like "leh" – as in "let" but shorter.
  2. "-nd": This is a nasal "nd" sound. It’s crucial. It’s not like the "nd" in “hand.” Instead, it’s similar to the "ng" sound in “sing” or “song,” but with the “l” in front. You're letting the air flow through your nose a little.

Common Mispronunciations & Why They're Wrong:

  • "lend" (rhyming with "end"): This is extremely common! It’s incorrect.
  • "len-d": Separating the sounds isn’t right. It needs to be a flowing sound.

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Focus on the nasal "nd": This is the key! Try saying "sing" and then quickly adding the "l" at the beginning.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is by hearing it. Here are some resources:
    • Google Search: Type "how to pronounce lend" into Google and listen to the audio pronunciation.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/lend/ – This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce lend" on YouTube – you'll find many videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

To help me tailor a better explanation, could you tell me:

  • Are you having trouble with a specific part of the word (like the "nd" sound)?

Usage and examples with the word lend in English

Let's break down how to use the word "lend" in English. It's a tricky one because it's closely related to "loan," but they have distinct meanings.

1. Lend (Verb - to give temporary use of something):

  • Meaning: To give something to someone for a period of time, expecting it back. It’s about granting temporary possession.
  • Structure: lend + object + to + person
  • Examples:
    • "Can you lend me your pen?" (You want to use the pen temporarily.)
    • "I lent my book to my friend last week." (You gave the book to your friend for a while.)
    • "She lent her car to her brother for the weekend."
    • "The bank lends money to people to buy houses." (The bank temporarily provides money.)

2. Loan (Noun - the act of lending; a thing borrowed):

  • Meaning: The act of lending something. Also, the thing that’s been given out for temporary use.
  • Examples:
    • "I received a loan from my parents." (The act of receiving something was lending).
    • "The loan agreement outlines the terms." (The agreement relates to the act of lending).
    • "He took out a loan to buy a car."

Key Differences Summarized:

Feature Lend (Verb) Loan (Noun)
Part of Speech Verb (action) Noun (thing or concept)
Meaning To give temporarily The act of giving, or the item given

Common Phrases Using "Lend":

  • Lend a hand: To offer help. “Could you lend a hand with this?”
  • Lend an ear: To listen attentively. “Please lend an ear to my problem.”
  • Lend support: To offer encouragement or assistance. “They lent support during the difficult times.”

Tips for Remembering the Difference:

  • Think ‘temporary.’ “Lend” always implies a temporary situation.
  • "Loan" is the thing about lending. It describes the result or the object.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of "lend" in different contexts?
  • Explain how "lend" is used in a specific sentence?
  • Compare it more deeply with the word "borrow"?

Synonyms for the word lend

Idioms of the word lend

give/lend a helping hand
to help somebody
    lend colour to something
    (British English, formal)to make something seem true or likely
    • Most of the available evidence lends colour to this view.
    lend an ear (to somebody/something)
    to listen in a patient and kind way to somebody
      lend (somebody) a (helping) hand (with something)
      (informal)to help somebody with something
      • I went over to see if I could lend a hand.
      lend your name to something
      to let it be known in public that you support or agree with something
      • I am more than happy to lend my name to this campaign.
      to have a place named after you
        lend support, weight, credence, etc. to something
        to make something seem more likely to be true or real
        • This latest evidence lends support to her theory.

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