borrow
borrow
Pronunciation
Borrow: /ˈbɒr.oʊ/
First Syllable:
/b/ - voiced bilabial stop (as in "bat")
/ɒ/ - open back rounded vowel (as in "got" or "off")
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant (as in "red")
Second Syllable:
/oʊ/ - diphthong, starting with a mid-back rounded vowel and gliding to a close-mid back rounded vowel (as in "go" or " "boat")
Word Form Variations
Verb:
borrow (base form, infinitive, present simple - I/you/we/they)
borrows (present simple - he/she/it)
borrowing (present participle, gerund)
borrowed (past simple, past participle)
Noun:
borrow (less common, usually referring to something borrowed, often in specific contexts like "a short borrow")
borrows (plural of the noun form)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Definition 1: To take and use (something belonging to someone else) with the intention of returning it.
Synonyms: loan (from the perspective of the recipient), take on loan, obtain on credit.
Antonyms: lend, give, provide, furnish.
Definition 2: To adopt or appropriate (an idea, custom, or word) from another source.
Synonyms: adopt, appropriate, take on, acquire, derive.
Antonyms: invent, create, coin (a phrase), originate.
Noun
Definition 1: An act of borrowing something; an instance of taking something temporarily from another.
Synonyms: loan (from the perspective of the recipient), credit, advance.
Antonyms: lend, gift, donation.
Examples of Use
Books:
"He had to borrow money from his parents to pay for tuition." (From a fictional novel focusing on a college student's struggles)
"The author would often borrow themes from classical mythology, reinterpreting them for a modern audience." (From a literary criticism analyzing a fantasy author's works)
Newspapers:
"Local library to borrow rare manuscripts for upcoming exhibition." (The Daily Chronicle)
"Economists warn that the government's continued need to borrow heavily could lead to long-term financial instability." (Financial Times)
Online Publications:
"5 Smart Ways to Borrow Money Responsibly for Home Renovations." (Investopedia)
"Tech giants continue to borrow ideas from open-source communities, sparking debate about intellectual property." (TechCrunch)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film Dialogue: "Can I borrow your car for the evening? I promise I'll fill up the tank." (From a romantic comedy film)
Song Lyrics: "We borrow time, we lose control, but the rhythm of the city keeps us whole." (From an indie rock song)
Video Game (in-game prompt): "You can borrow equipment from the armory for your next mission, but remember to return it." (Text on screen in a role-playing game)
Podcast: "In this episode, we explore how modern artists borrow and remix elements from different musical genres." (Transcript from a podcast discussing music trends)
General Public Discourse:
"My neighbor asked to borrow my lawnmower again. I swear he doesn't own one!" (Casual conversation between friends)
"Don't borrow trouble, just focus on what you can control." (Common idiom used as advice)
"I need to borrow a pen, does anyone have one?" (Everyday request in an office or classroom setting)
10 Famous Quotes Using Borrow
"Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet)
"The only way to have a friend is to be one." (Ralph Waldo Emerson) - While not using "borrow," this quote speaks to the reciprocal nature of relationships, a theme sometimes related to borrowing and lending.
"He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing." (Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack)
"We are all born to be a little crazy. Some of us just choose to borrow our sanity from others." (Unattributed)
"Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist interferes the better." (André Gide) - This can be interpreted metaphorically as artists "borrowing" inspiration.
"Happy is the man who can make a living by his hobby." (George Bernard Shaw) - This can be seen as "borrowing" joy from one's work.
"Life is like a game of cards. The hand you are dealt is determinism; the way you play it is free will." (Jawaharlal Nehru) - Metaphorically, we "borrow" the hand dealt to us and then choose how to use it.
"It is better to be a lender than a borrower." (Proverb)
"The best way to get a good idea is to have a lot of ideas." (Linus Pauling) - Implies "borrowing" from one's own internal pool of thoughts.
"A man who wants to borrow should be like a man who wants to fight—brave but not reckless." (African Proverb)
Etymology
The word "borrow" has a long history, tracing its roots back to Old English and even further.
In its simplest terms, the word "borrow" comes from an Old English word called "borgian." This "borgian" meant a few things: to lend, to be surety for (meaning to promise to be responsible for someone else's debt or promise), and also to take on pledge to return it. So, in the very beginning, "borgian" covered both the act of giving something temporarily and receiving something temporarily with the promise of returning it.
This Old English word itself came from an even older Germanic root, "*burgōną," which had to do with pledging or taking care of something. This suggests a very ancient connection to the idea of security or a promise given when something valuable was exchanged temporarily.
Over time, the meaning of "borrow" in English narrowed down mostly to the sense we use today: to receive something with the intention of returning it. The act of "lending" became a separate word, even though they were once intertwined.
So, the first known use of "borrow" (in its verb form) dates back to the Old English period, before 1150. At that time, it had a broader meaning that encompassed both lending and borrowing as we understand them now, all centered around the concept of a "pledge" or "security."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Borrow
Borrow trouble: To worry unnecessarily or invite problems.
Borrow time: To continue to exist or operate for longer than expected or with a sense of urgency.
Borrow from Peter to pay Paul: To pay off one debt by incurring another, often leading to a cycle of debt.
On borrowed time: Living or existing beyond the expected or usual lifespan; nearing the end.
To borrow an idea/concept/phrase: To adopt or use an idea, concept, or phrase originated by someone else.
Borrowing privileges: The right or ability to borrow items, often from a library.
Beg, borrow, or steal: To obtain something by any means necessary, even if it's illicit.
Lend an ear: (Using a synonym for "borrow" in a related idiom) To listen attentively.
Take a leaf out of someone's book: (Using a synonym for "borrow" in a related idiom) To imitate someone's behavior or methods because they are successful.
To take on credit: (Similar effect to borrowing money) To obtain goods or services with a promise to pay later.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of borrow from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
