English · Word Candidate

borrow

/ˈbɒɹəʊ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: borrows · borrowed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To receive (something) from somebody temporarily, expecting to return it.

Verb

Examples

Finance is seldom romantic. But the idea of peer-to-peer lending comes close. This is an industry that brings together individual savers and lenders on online platforms. Those that want to borrow are matched with those that want to lend.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To receive money from a bank or other lender under the agreement that the lender will be paid back over time.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Deviation of the path of a rolling ball from a straight line; slope; slant.

Noun

Examples

This putt has a big left-to right borrow on it.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

A borrow pit.

Noun

Examples

As previously indicated, slurry used for construction of the slurry cutoff trench at Beaver Creek Dam was produced with natural clays and clay tills from local borrows.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “borrow” mean?

To receive (something) from somebody temporarily, expecting to return it.

Is “borrow” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.