fed
B1Informal for 'fed up' and 'the feds'; neutral for past tense usage.
Definition
Meaning
past tense and past participle of 'feed' – to have given food to someone/something
In government context: a federal official, especially an FBI agent (US). In economics: the Federal Reserve System. As adjective: describes feeling satisfied or having eaten enough, or can mean annoyed/bored ('fed up').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word shifts meaning significantly based on grammatical role (verb, noun, adjective). As verb form, it's regular; as noun/adj., it's a clipping/slang.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
'The feds' strongly associated with US federal law enforcement (FBI). In UK, can refer to US agencies or occasionally (less common) to federal systems elsewhere. 'Fed up' is equally common in both.
Connotations
US: 'fed' as noun often carries negative/authoritative connotation in colloquial speech ('the feds are watching'). UK: more neutral for past tense, 'fed up' is very common idiom.
Frequency
'Fed' as noun (federal agent) is far more frequent in US English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + fed + object (He fed the dog)Subject + fed + object + to/into + something (She fed the data into the computer)Subject + fed + object + with + something (They fed us with stories)Subject + fed + object + on + something (We fed the children on healthy food)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fed up (with)”
- “fed to the teeth”
- “fed the flames (of something)”
- “fed the hand that bites you”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In economics: 'The Fed raised interest rates.'
Academic
In history: 'The population was poorly fed during the siege.'
Everyday
Past action: 'I fed the neighbour's cat yesterday.'
Technical
In computing: 'The algorithm is fed training data.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She fed the ducks at the pond.
- He fed the meter with coins.
- They fed the report into the system.
American English
- She fed the parking meter.
- He fed the documents through the scanner.
- They fed the kids before soccer practice.
adjective
British English
- The children were well fed and happy.
- I'm absolutely fed up with this rain.
- He looked fed and content.
American English
- The volunteers were well fed at the event.
- I'm fed up with all the delays.
- She seemed fed after the big meal.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I fed my dog this morning.
- The baby is fed every four hours.
- She is fed up with the noise.
- He fed the details into the computer.
- They were well fed during their stay.
- The journalist fed her information secretly.
- The data is fed directly into the central server.
- The public is being fed a constant stream of misinformation.
- He grew fed up with the bureaucracy.
- The central bank, often referred to as the Fed, announced new policy.
- Feeding the flames of dissent, the article fed public outrage.
- She felt perpetually fed up with the lack of progress.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FED = FoodED – someone has been given food.
Conceptual Metaphor
FEEDING AS SUPPLYING (fed information, fed power); SATIATION AS ANNOYANCE (fed up).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'federal' in all contexts – 'fed' as noun is slang. 'Fed up' does not mean 'full of food' but 'annoyed/tired of'. Past tense 'fed' is irregular for Russian speakers expecting 'feeded'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'feeded' as past tense (incorrect). Using 'fed' as present tense. Confusing 'well-fed' (adjective) with 'fed well' (adverb+verb).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'fed' as a noun?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the three forms are: feed (present) – fed (past simple) – fed (past participle).
It is an idiom meaning annoyed, unhappy, or bored, especially with a situation that has continued for too long.
No, 'fed' is only past simple or past participle of 'feed'. The present tense is 'feed' or 'feeds'.
It most commonly refers to the Federal Reserve System, the central banking system of the United States. Informally, 'the feds' (plural) can refer to federal law enforcement agents like the FBI.