borrow

To borrow is to get money or a thing for temporary use and then return it in the future. The word "borrow" is similar to "get." You can borrow money from a bank or from a friend. Many people confuse this word with "lend."

• Terry borrowed $20 from her friend.
• Ali wants to borrow some money in order to start a small business.
• If you borrow money from a bank, you will have to pay back the principal plus interest.
• How much do you want to borrow?
• Diedre doesn’t want to borrow any money because she’s afraid of having debt.
• Do you mind if I borrow your pen for a minute?
• Our neighbor let us borrow his lawnmower because ours is broken.
• He needed to borrow a bike to get to work this morning.
• (Where does the briefcase go?)

Sometimes the word "borrow" is heard as an adjective. (Add an "ed" ending to form "borrowed.")

• After surviving a heart attack, Dennis feels like he’s living on borrowed time.
• Borrowed money should be paid back in a timely fashion.

Click here to learn more words.

September 14, 2014