bent: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral to informal; some uses are slang.
Quick answer
What does “bent” mean?
Curved or angled, not straight.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Curved or angled, not straight; the past tense and past participle of 'bend'.
Determined to do something (e.g., bent on success); dishonest or corrupt (slang, especially British); having a natural inclination or talent (archaic).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'bent' is commonly used as slang for dishonest or corrupt. In American English, this usage is less common and may be misunderstood.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'bent' as curved is neutral; but in British slang, it has negative connotations.
Frequency
The slang meaning is more frequent in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “bent” in a Sentence
transitive: subject + bent + objectintransitive: subject + bentbent + adverb/preposition phraseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bent” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He bent down to pick up the coin.
American English
- She bent the rules to help her friend.
adverb
British English
- He was bent double with laughter.
American English
- She sat bent forward in her chair.
adjective
British English
- The old man had a bent back from years of work.
American English
- He was bent on finishing the project on time.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically, e.g., 'bent rules' for unethical practices.
Academic
Rare; might appear in physics or engineering contexts describing curved objects.
Everyday
Common for describing physical objects or determination.
Technical
In engineering, 'bent' describes deformed structures.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bent”
- Using 'bent' as a noun incorrectly; it's primarily verb/adjective.
- Confusing 'bent' with 'bend' in present tense.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'bent' can also be an adjective meaning curved or determined, and in British slang, dishonest.
Yes, but rarely; it can refer to a natural talent or inclination, as in 'a bent for music', though this is somewhat archaic.
'Bent' generally implies a curve or angle, while 'crooked' often suggests irregularity or dishonesty, especially in American English.
It's an idiom meaning very upset or angry, e.g., 'Don't get bent out of shape over small mistakes.'
Curved or angled, not straight.
Bent is usually neutral to informal; some uses are slang. in register.
Bent: in British English it is pronounced /bɛnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɛnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bent out of shape (upset or angry)”
- “bent on (determined to)”
- “bent over backwards (made a great effort)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bent knee: it's not straight, just like the word 'bent' means curved.
Conceptual Metaphor
Dishonesty is curvature (from the slang meaning).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'bent' mean in the sentence: 'He is bent on success.'?