borrow

[bor-oh, bawr-oh] /ˈbɒr oʊ, ˈbɔr oʊ/
verb (used with object)
1.
to take or obtain with the promise to return the same or an equivalent:
Our neighbor borrowed my lawn mower.
2.
to use, appropriate, or introduce from another source or from a foreign source:
to borrow an idea from the opposition; to borrow a word from French.
3.
Arithmetic. (in subtraction) to take from one denomination and add to the next lower.
verb (used without object)
4.
to borrow something:
Don't borrow unless you intend to repay.
5.
Nautical.
  1. to sail close to the wind; luff.
  2. to sail close to the shore.
6.
Golf. to putt on other than a direct line from the lie of the ball to the hole, to compensate for the incline or roll of the green.
Idioms
7.
borrow trouble, to do something that is unnecessary and may cause future harm or inconvenience.
Origin
before 900; Middle English borowen, Old English borgian to borrow, lend, derivative of borg a pledge; akin to Dutch borg a pledge, borgen to charge, give credit, German Borg credit, borgen to take on credit
Related forms
borrowable, adjective
borrower, noun
nonborrowed, adjective
nonborrower, noun
overborrow, verb
unborrowed, adjective
Can be confused
borrow, lend, loan (see usage note at loan)
Synonyms
2. acquire, take, get; copy, pirate, plagiarize.

Borrow

[bor-oh, bawr-oh] /ˈbɒr oʊ, ˈbɔr oʊ/
noun
1.
George, 1803–81, English traveler, writer, and student of languages, especially Romany.
Related forms
Borrovian
[buh-roh-vee-uh n] /bəˈroʊ vi ən/ (Show IPA), adjective, noun
Examples from the web for borrow
  • Yet, his lawyer now says, he was forced to borrow millions.
  • Smaller companies have found it more difficult to borrow money.
  • For starters, the current sluggish economy has choked tax revenues and made it difficult and expensive to borrow money.
  • Then again, maybe the program will continues to borrow tidbits of plot and setting from stories we've already seen.
  • borrow binoculars from the visitor center, which also offers exhibits about the site's ranching history.
  • Only two months ago, it seemed as if almost any company could borrow money at low interest rates.
  • borrow a big piece of luggage instead of buying one.
  • The farmers are too poor to buy such inputs, and they lack the collateral to borrow.
  • As a bonus, it'll be easier to borrow a charger when in need.
  • For those shares, brokers are expected to make sure they can borrow before selling short.
British Dictionary definitions for borrow

borrow

/ˈbɒrəʊ/
verb
1.
to obtain or receive (something, such as money) on loan for temporary use, intending to give it, or something equivalent or identical, back to the lender
2.
to adopt (ideas, words, etc) from another source; appropriate
3.
(not standard) to lend
4.
(golf) to putt the ball uphill of the direct path to the hole
5.
(intransitive) (golf) (of a ball) to deviate from a straight path because of the slope of the ground
noun
6.
(golf) a deviation of a ball from a straight path because of the slope of the ground: a left borrow
7.
material dug from a borrow pit to provide fill at another
8.
living on borrowed time
  1. living an unexpected extension of life
  2. close to death
Derived Forms
borrower, noun
Usage note
The use of off after borrow was formerly considered incorrect, but is now acceptable in informal contexts
Word Origin
Old English borgian; related to Old High German borgēn to take heed, give security

Borrow

/ˈbɒrəʊ/
noun
1.
George (Henry). 1803–81, English traveller and writer. His best-known works are the semiautobiographical novels of Gypsy life and language, Lavengro (1851) and its sequel The Romany Rye (1857)
Word Origin and History for borrow
v.

Old English borgian "to lend, be surety for," from Proto-Germanic *borg "pledge" (cf. Old English borg "pledge, security, bail, debt," Old Norse borga "to become bail for, guarantee," Middle Dutch borghen "to protect, guarantee," Old High German boragen "to beware of," German borgen "to borrow; to lend"), from PIE *bhergh- "to hide, protect" (see bury). Sense shifted in Old English to "borrow," apparently on the notion of collateral deposited as security for something borrowed. Related: Borrowed; borrowing.

borrow in the Bible

The Israelites "borrowed" from the Egyptians (Ex. 12:35, R.V., "asked") in accordance with a divine command (3:22; 11:2). But the word (sha'al) so rendered here means simply and always to "request" or "demand." The Hebrew had another word which is properly translated "borrow" in Deut. 28:12; Ps. 37:21. It was well known that the parting was final. The Egyptians were so anxious to get the Israelites away out of their land that "they let them have what they asked" (Ex. 12:36, R.V.), or literally "made them to ask," urged them to take whatever they desired and depart. (See LOAN.)

Idioms and Phrases with borrow

borrow

In addition to the idiom beginning with
borrow
also see: