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to lend

to lend

99 3.8
Give something a certain quality or feeling
  • verb
  • /lɛnd/
translation icon : dar
  • Her enthusiasm for the project will surely lend energy to the team's efforts.
  • lend support to
  • lend credence to
  • lend credibility to

This is a kind of subject that lends itself to exam questions.

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Examples

  • The disposition towards extremes lends itself well to prowess in those sports.

  • OK, so you know, does video lend itself well to what you do?

  • There was more than one way to lend a "human touch" to this place.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • We must take political, moral, and humanitarian action to lend support to the Syrian people.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The flexible physical space at Glen Allen lends itself to collaborative planning, teaching, and learning.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The warm colors of the sunset lend a serene atmosphere to the evening.

  • The new decorations lend a festive feel to the room for the party.

Synonyms

to give
vsto lend
1.0

To cause a result, feeling, or change

is more focused on shaping atmosphere rather than simply supplying effects
to bring
vsto lend
1.0

To cause something to happen or create a change

is about giving a quality itself rather than merely causing a change
to add
vsto lend
1.0

Include something extra to make something larger or better

is more about imparting a characteristic than simply increasing quantity
to contribute
vsto lend
883 2.7

To give money, help, or ideas to make something work

is applied individually to create a quality rather than group effort
to endow
vsto lend
  • Formal
34 4.9

To give someone a particular quality or ability

is usually less permanent and more about temporary atmosphere
to bestow
vsto lend
  • Formal
22 5.3

Give a quality such as charm to someone or something

is a more ordinary, informal method of adding qualities
to imbue
vsto lend
22 6.9

To fill a person or thing with a particular quality

is lighter and less intense in how it adds qualities
to impart
vsto lend
17 4.8

To give a quality or feeling to something

is a subtler, less direct way of creating such quality

Antonyms

1.5

To move something or someone away from a place

32 5.9

Make something seem less good or less valuable

Idioms

6 2.7

To give someone support with a task or problem

to lend an ear
  • Informal
3 3.2

To listen to someone and show you care

Phrasal Verbs

to lend a hand
  • Informal
28 1.3

To help someone with a task

To be good for a particular use or situation

To be suitable for a particular purpose

Compounds

lease-lend
  • Formal
9.9

Government sends military supplies to an allied country during a war to help it

lend-lease
  • Archaic
8.1

Sending weapons and supplies from one country to an ally during war without payment right away

How Much

to permeate
24 6.0
to imbue
22 6.9
to lend
99 3.8
to suggest
2.1

Surface Forms

lend infinitive
lending present participle
lends third person singular
lent past
lent past participle

Etymology

Lend at first meant 'to give' for a short time, and that idea of 'giving' also fits feelings or qualities. That's why we say a calm voice lends dignity to a ceremony, because the voice 'gives' that feeling to the event.