mending: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to slightly formal; common in everyday and literary contexts.
Quick answer
What does “mending” mean?
The act or process of repairing something that is damaged, torn, or broken.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act or process of repairing something that is damaged, torn, or broken.
The process of improving or restoring relationships, situations, or emotional states; also refers to items that need to be repaired.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight preference in UK English for 'mending' over 'fixing' for clothes; US English uses both. The phrase 'on the mend' is equally common.
Connotations
In both, carries connotations of care, restoration, and gradual improvement.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; perhaps slightly higher in UK English due to traditional crafting vocabulary.
Grammar
How to Use “mending” in a Sentence
[subject] is mending [object][subject] needs mendingthe mending of [object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mending” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She spent the afternoon mending her grandfather's old trousers.
- The government is focused on mending relations with its neighbours.
American English
- He's mending the fence out back before the storm hits.
- After the argument, they're slowly mending their friendship.
adverb
British English
- N/A (standard dictionaries do not list 'mendingly')
American English
- N/A (standard dictionaries do not list 'mendingly')
adjective
British English
- She has a mending manner that puts people at ease. (rare/poetic)
- The mending process was slower than expected.
American English
- He found the activity to have a mending effect on his mood. (rare/poetic)
- The mending kit contained thread and needles.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in contexts of 'relationship mending' or 'mending supply chains'.
Academic
Used in social sciences for 'mending social fabric' or historical texts on domestic work.
Everyday
Very common for household repairs, especially clothing.
Technical
In crafts, textiles, and restoration fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mending”
- Using 'mending' for electronic repairs (use 'fixing' or 'repairing').
- Incorrect: 'I am mending my car.' (unless very minor, non-mechanical).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while often used for clothes, it can be used for relationships, health ('on the mend'), and other repairs, though for complex machinery 'fixing' or 'repairing' is more common.
'Mending' often implies a simpler, more hands-on, or caring repair, especially with textiles. 'Repairing' is broader and more technical.
Yes, as a gerund ('Mending takes time') or a mass noun referring to items to be repaired ('She sorted the mending').
It's an idiom meaning to restore friendly relations with someone after a disagreement.
The act or process of repairing something that is damaged, torn, or broken.
Mending is usually neutral to slightly formal; common in everyday and literary contexts. in register.
Mending: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛndɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛndɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “mending fences”
- “on the mend”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MEND being a friendly END to something broken. MEND-ING is the action of making that friendly end.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELATIONSHIPS ARE CLOTHES (mending a relationship), HEALTH IS A STRUCTURE (on the mend).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'mending' LEAST appropriate?