WordGarden.ioborrow
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈɒrəʊ/
US
- /ˈbɑˌroʊ/
Meanings
Verb
to take money or something else temporarily, expecting to return or repay it
to adopt a word, idea, style, or method from another source
in subtraction, to take value from the next higher place
Beyond the definition
Imagine your friend has an amazing new video game, but you don't own it yourself. If you borrow it from them, it means they are letting you use it for a while with the understanding that you will give it back. That's the heart of borrowing! It applies to more than just physical things—you can borrow time from one task to finish another, or even borrow an idea and build upon it (though giving credit is always important!).
Borrowing implies a temporary transfer of possession with the expectation of return. You wouldn't borrow a car and keep it forever; it's a matter of trust and responsibility. While "Could I borrow your pen?" is a common, polite request, the phrase "borrowing trouble" has a more figurative twist, meaning you are worrying unnecessarily or inviting problems into your life before they even happen.
To borrow something means to take possession of it for a temporary period with the clear intention of returning it to its owner. It is a social and often legal arrangement: borrowing carries an implicit agreement—a promise to restore what was taken. Common examples include borrowing a book from a library or borrowing money from a bank or a relative.
The concept extends far beyond physical objects. You can borrow time by staying up late or waking up earlier, essentially "taking" those hours from your sleep schedule to use elsewhere. In the creative world, you might borrow inspiration from other artists, incorporating elements of their style or technique into your own work. However, ethical borrowing in this context usually requires acknowledging the original source to avoid plagiarism.
Interestingly, borrow also has a figurative meaning regarding one's outlook. To "borrow trouble" means to anticipate problems or act in a way that likely leads to negative consequences. This usage stems from the idea that you are taking on something undesirable and burdensome, much like taking on a high-interest loan that you'll eventually have to pay for.
Historically, borrow comes from the Old English word borgian, which relates to "pledging" or "giving security." This highlights the ancient connection between borrowing and the obligation to repay or return.
Whether it is a lawnmower, a sum of cash, or a stylistic choice in a painting, to borrow is to engage in a temporary exchange based on the expectation of return—or in some cases, accepting the consequences of taking on a burden that wasn't yours to begin with.
Examples
- 1
Polite request
Can I borrow your pen for a minute?
- 2
Library books
I borrowed three books from the library for the weekend.
- 3
Money
She had to borrow money from her brother to pay the rent.
- 4
Transportation
We're borrowing my aunt's car while ours is being repaired.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Creative influence
The movie borrows a lot from old detective stories.
- Patternborrow from + source
use ideas, style, or features from it
- 6
Language
English has borrowed words from many other languages.
- 7
Quoting someone
To borrow a phrase from my grandfather, "slow down and do it right."
- Phraseto borrow a phrase
use words that someone else often says
- 8
Job insecurity
After missing two deadlines, he knew he was living on borrowed time in that job.
- Phraseon borrowed time
unlikely to last much longer before something bad happens
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- borrowverb
Forms
- borrowedpast tenseverb
- borrowing-ing formverb
- borrowsverb