mend
verb /mend/
/mend/
Verb Forms
Idioms | present simple I / you / we / they mend | /mend/ /mend/ |
| he / she / it mends | /mendz/ /mendz/ |
| past simple mended | /ˈmendɪd/ /ˈmendɪd/ |
| past participle mended | /ˈmendɪd/ /ˈmendɪd/ |
| -ing form mending | /ˈmendɪŋ/ /ˈmendɪŋ/ |
- [transitive] mend something (British English) to repair something that has been damaged or broken so that it can be used again
- Could you mend my bike for me?
Extra Examples- I was trying to mend that broken clock.
- I'll get my guitar mended.
- The front gate needed mending.
- [transitive] mend something to repair a hole in a piece of clothing, etc.
- He mended shoes for a living.
- She ought to learn to mend her own clothes.
- [transitive] mend something to find a solution to a problem or disagreement
- They tried to mend their differences.
Extra ExamplesTopics Discussion and agreementc2- He has been trying to mend relations between the two countries.
- This debate will not mend matters.
- [intransitive] (old-fashioned) (of a person) to improve in health after being ill synonym recover
- He's mending slowly after the operation.
- [intransitive] (of a broken bone) to join up and return to normal
Word OriginMiddle English: shortening of amend.
Idioms
least said soonest mended
- (British English, saying) a bad situation will pass or be forgotten most quickly if nothing more is said about it
mend (your) fences (with somebody)
- to find a solution when you disagree with somebody
- The White House already is struggling to mend fences with Europe.
- Is it too late to mend fences with your ex-wife?
mend your ways
- to stop behaving badly