borrow
A2Neutral (used across formal and informal contexts)
Definition
Meaning
to take and use something that belongs to someone else with the intention of returning it or its equivalent.
To adopt or take over (an idea, custom, word, etc.) from another source, language, or culture for one's own use. In finance: to take out a loan of money.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies temporary use with the expectation of return or replacement. The subject is the recipient. Contrasts with 'lend', where the subject is the giver.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Borrow' vs 'loan' as a verb: In British English, 'borrow' is overwhelmingly preferred for the action of the recipient; using 'loan' as a verb (e.g., 'He loaned me a pen') is less common and sometimes considered informal or an Americanism. In American English, 'loan' is a standard verb for the act of giving.
Connotations
Identical in core meaning. Informal requests like 'Can I borrow you for a second?' (to request someone's time) are understood in both, but slightly more common in AmE.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in AmE due to the dual-system with 'loan' as a verb, making 'borrow' the unambiguous choice for the recipient's action in careful speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] borrow [Object] (from [Source])[Subject] borrow [Indirect Object] [Direct Object] (less common, informal: 'Can I borrow you a pen?')[Subject] borrow against [Collateral]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Borrow trouble (to worry unnecessarily about a future problem)”
- “Live on borrowed time (to continue longer than expected, esp. after a crisis)”
- “Borrowed plumes (adopting the credit for another's achievements)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To obtain capital from a lender, e.g., 'The company will borrow to fund the expansion.'
Academic
To adopt a theoretical framework or methodology, e.g., 'This study borrows concepts from sociology.'
Everyday
To temporarily use a tangible item belonging to another, e.g., 'Can I borrow your charger?'
Technical
In computing: to temporarily access a resource (e.g., a mutex in programming). In linguistics: the process of adopting lexical items from another language.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- May I borrow your umbrella? It's pouring outside.
- The author borrows extensively from Victorian literary traditions.
- It's unwise to borrow more than you can repay.
American English
- Could I borrow your truck to move this couch?
- The software borrows its interface design from a popular video game.
- They had to borrow against their 401(k) to pay the medical bills.
adverb
British English
- There is no standard adverb 'borrowly'. The concept is expressed phrasally, e.g., 'on loan'.
- The painting is here borrowedly. (Non-standard/Unidiomatic)
American English
- No standard adverb form exists. Use phrases like 'as a loan'.
- He used the tool borrowingly. (Non-standard/Unidiomatic)
adjective
British English
- 'Borrowed' is the adjective form, as in 'a borrowed laptop'. There is no distinct adjective 'borrow'.
- She felt awkward in the borrowed finery.
American English
- The borrowed funds accrued interest quickly.
- He drove a borrowed car for the road trip.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I forgot my book. Can I borrow yours?
- He borrowed £10 from his brother.
- You must return what you borrow.
- The library allows you to borrow up to twelve items at a time.
- Many English words are borrowed from French and Latin.
- They decided to borrow money from the bank to buy a house.
- The film borrows its visual aesthetic from German Expressionist cinema.
- By criticising the plan, you're just borrowing trouble; let's wait for the details.
- Small businesses often struggle to borrow at competitive interest rates.
- The constitutional framework borrows heavily from the principles of Montesquieu.
- Critics accused the composer of uncreatively borrowing motifs from her earlier work.
- Nations should be cautious about borrowing in a foreign currency due to exchange rate volatility.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BORROWed item having a promisORY note to OR it back. (BORROW -> ORROW -> Owe/OR back).
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE OBJECTS (we borrow ideas from other fields), TIME IS A RESOURCE (borrowed time), MONEY IS A LIQUID (borrow cash flow).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'занимать' (to lend). In English, the subject of 'borrow' is the one who *receives*. In Russian, the subject of 'занимать' is the one who *gives*. The English equivalent of 'занимать' is 'lend' or 'loan'.
- Avoid 'borrow *to* someone'. The correct preposition is 'borrow *from* someone'.
- The noun 'loan' (ссуда, заём) is separate from the verb 'borrow'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'Can you borrow me a pencil?' Correct: 'Can you lend me a pencil?' OR 'Can I borrow a pencil (from you)?'
- Incorrect: 'I borrowed him my car.' Correct: 'I lent him my car.' OR 'He borrowed my car.'
- Confusing 'borrow' with 'beg' or 'steal' in contexts where permission/return is not implied.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'borrow' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The subject of 'borrow' is the person *receiving* the item temporarily. The subject of 'lend' (or 'loan') is the person *giving* the item temporarily. Remember: You borrow *from* someone; you lend *to* someone.
Yes. You can borrow ideas, words, concepts, or time (metaphorically). For example: 'The designer borrowed a colour scheme from nature.'
No, that is incorrect. The correct pattern is 'borrow money *from* someone'. To express the other perspective, use 'lend money *to* someone' or 'loan someone money'.
Not always. For money, you return an equivalent sum. For consumables (e.g., 'borrow a cup of sugar'), you return a replacement. For ideas, the 'return' concept is metaphorical.