fold
B1Neutral; common in everyday, business, and technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To bend something (especially paper, cloth, or a flat, flexible material) so that one part of it lies on top of another part.
1. To bring parts together or to close something by bending it (fold a chair, fold your arms). 2. (Informal) For a business to fail and close; for a play, show, etc., to be terminated. 3. In card games, to withdraw from a hand.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb implies a deliberate, often neat, action. The noun refers to the line or crease made by folding, or a pen/enclosure for sheep. The core sense is physical manipulation; extended senses are metaphorical (business folds, fold in cooking).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. 'Fold' as a noun for a pen for sheep is slightly more common in UK contexts. The phrasal verb 'fold up' (meaning to collapse/fail) is used in both.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. 'To fold under pressure' carries a negative connotation of weakness or failure.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both UK and US English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VN] (fold something)[VN-ADJ] (fold something flat)[V] (The table folds.)[V-N] (fold somebody in your arms (literary))Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fold like a cheap suitcase (collapse easily)”
- “fold your arms (cross arms, often defensively)”
- “return to the fold (come back to a group)”
- “fold under pressure”
- “fold your hand (in cards)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The startup folded after failing to secure a second round of funding."
Academic
"The geologist explained how tectonic forces caused the rock strata to fold."
Everyday
"Could you fold these towels and put them in the cupboard?"
Technical
"The protein will fold into its functional three-dimensional structure."
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- Make a sharp fold along the dotted line.
- The sheep were safe in the fold for the night.
- He was welcomed back into the family fold.
American English
- The crease was visible from the old fold in the map.
- Her dress had intricate folds of fabric.
- A fold in the hills concealed the village.
verb
British English
- He learnt to fold a proper origami crane.
- The pop-up shop will fold at the end of the month.
- Fold the flour into the cake mixture gently.
American English
- She folded the letter and slipped it into an envelope.
- If the pressure gets too high, he tends to fold.
- The team folded after a disastrous first season.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Fold the paper in two.
- Please fold your clothes.
- The chair folds for easy storage.
- She folded the newspaper and put it aside.
- The business folded due to lack of customers.
- He folded his arms and waited.
- The software allows you to fold sections of code to improve readability.
- Many small theatres folded during the pandemic.
- Add the chocolate chips, folding them in carefully.
- The politician's support began to fold as the scandal unfolded.
- Proteins must fold correctly to be functional, a process known as protein folding.
- The mountain range is characterized by dramatic folds and thrust faults.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a piece of FOLDer paper; it's designed to be FOLDed.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAILURE IS COLLAPSING/FOLDING (The company folded). INCLUSION IS BEING WITHIN A FOLD (Welcome to the fold).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'fold' for 'bend' a metal pipe (use 'bend'). 'Fold' implies a sharp crease, often on a hinge-like line. For 'складывать' in maths (2+3=5), use 'add'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *I folded the wire to make a hook. (Use 'bent').
- Incorrect: *She folded the book. (Use 'closed' or 'shut').
- Incorrect: *Fold the number 5 and 7. (Use 'add').
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, 'the company folded' means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Fold' implies a neat, often intentional, sharp crease (paper, clothes). 'Bend' is more general for making something curved or angled (metal, body). 'Crumple' implies a rough, messy, often destructive crushing (paper into a ball).
Yes, but usually metaphorically or in specific phrases. 'He folded under the pressure' (gave in). 'She folded him in her arms' (embraced him - literary). You wouldn't say 'I folded the child' physically.
It means to forfeit your current hand, withdraw from the betting round, and give up any chance of winning that particular pot.
Yes, it's regular: fold - folded - folded.