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Definitions

borrow

[bor-oh, bawr-oh] / ˈbɒr oʊ, ˈbɔr oʊ /
VERB
take for temporary use
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acquire hire obtain rent
STRONG
beg bite bum cadge chisel lift mooch negotiate pawn pledge scrounge soak sponge tap touch
WEAK
accept loan of give a note for hit up raise money run into debt see one's uncle take on loan use temporarily
Antonyms
STRONGEST
forfeit lose
STRONG
give
WEAK
lend pay return
VERB
adopt from another source; appropriate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acquire adopt assume copy obtain steal use
STRONG
filch imitate pilfer pirate plagiarize simulate take usurp
WEAK
make one's own
Antonyms
STRONGEST
forfeit leave alone lose
STRONG
give receive
WEAK
lend pay return

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Consumers worried about losing their jobs will borrow and spend less.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

If fundraising stalls simultaneously, such a development could prompt a liquidity crisis and force fund managers to use their cash reserves, borrow money or sell assets to pay shareholders out and satisfy their own lenders.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Parents taking out loans to pay for their kids’ school will be able to borrow a maximum of $20,000 a year per child and $65,000 total per child.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

But many low-income households don't have the savings to last that long and so have to borrow, incurring debt.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

So I went to borrow some of your tools from the barn.

From "Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer" by Kelly Jones