bond
B1Formal & Informal
Definition
Meaning
A thing that fastens, ties, or holds things together; a connection or link.
A formal agreement with legal force, a financial debt instrument, a strong emotional connection between people, the adhesion between materials, or the status of being in custody.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word spans concrete (a physical tie), financial, legal, relational, and chemical domains. The relational meaning ('strong bond') is often considered a dead metaphor, now a core sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. 'Bond' as a verb for forming a close relationship is equally common. 'Junk bond' is a US-originated financial term now used globally.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'bond' in personal contexts connotes strength and positivity. In finance, it connotes security and stability (except when modified, e.g., 'junk bond').
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US financial/business news due to larger bond market coverage. The phrase 'bail bond' is significantly more common in US English due to the legal system.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
bond A to B (physical)bond with someone (relational)bond together (reciprocal)issue a bond (financial)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “My word is my bond”
- “In bond (customs)”
- “Bond of matrimony”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A fixed-income financial instrument issued by a government or corporation to raise capital.
Academic
In chemistry, the lasting attraction between atoms enabling molecule formation (ionic bond, hydrogen bond). In social sciences, a social or emotional connection.
Everyday
A close personal relationship or connection. Also, glue that bonds materials.
Technical
In finance: a debt security. In law: a binding agreement. In materials science: the adhesion between surfaces.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new adhesive will bond these surfaces in seconds.
- The team really bonded during the retreat in the Lake District.
American English
- The resin needs to bond with the wood before you sand it.
- They bonded over their love of baseball and classic cars.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- There is a strong bond between the mother and her baby.
- They used glue to bond the pieces of wood.
- The government issued a bond to raise money for new schools.
- Shared experiences helped them bond quickly.
- The chemical bond between the two atoms is exceptionally stable.
- Investors fled risky stocks and sought the safety of treasury bonds.
- The cultural bonds that historically linked the two nations have begun to fray.
- The indictment stated he had violated the terms of his appearance bond.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of James BOND: he forms connections (with allies), breaks them (with villains), and deals with government securities (MI6 budgets!).
Conceptual Metaphor
RELATIONSHIPS ARE BONDS (e.g., 'ties that bind', 'unbreakable bond'). STRENGTH/STABILITY IS A BOND (e.g., 'bonded for life').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'bond' (financial) as 'облигация' in all contexts—it's correct for finance, but not for personal 'bond' (связь, узы).
- The verb 'to bond' is broader than 'склеивать'. It can mean 'сближаться' (people) or 'соединять' (materials).
- 'Bail bond' has no direct equivalent in the Russian legal system; it's a 'залог за освобождение под залог'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'bond' uncountably for relationships (*'We have bond.'). Correct: 'We have a bond.'
- Confusing 'bond' (debt) with 'stock' (equity). A bond is a loan; a stock is ownership.
- Using 'bond' as a synonym for any weak 'relationship'. It implies strength/duration.
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'bond' NOT typically imply a formal, written agreement?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly, but it can be neutral (chemical bond) or negative if broken or oppressive ('the bonds of oppression'). The core idea is strength, not valence.
A 'bond' is a specific type of strong, cohesive connection within a broader 'relationship'. All bonds are relationships, but not all relationships have a strong bond.
Yes, commonly in technical/DIY contexts meaning to join materials securely with an adhesive or other process (e.g., 'The layers are bonded under heat and pressure').
It is a loan made by an investor to a borrower (corporate/government). The borrower pays regular interest and repays the principal on a specified maturity date.
Collections
Part of a collection
Business Vocabulary
B1 · 50 words · Fundamental language of commerce and trade.
Relationships
B1 · 49 words · Vocabulary for interpersonal and social connections.
Economics Terms
B2 · 50 words · Key vocabulary for economics and financial systems.
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