Borrowed — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun phrase adjective /ˈbär-(ˌ)ō/ bor·row

Meaning & Definition of Borrowed

Borrowed (verb)

  1. to receive with the implied or expressed intention of returning the same or an equivalent
  2. to borrow (money) with the intention of returning the same plus interest
  3. to appropriate for one's own use

Borrowed (noun)

  1. an uncertain and usually uncontrolled postponement of something inevitable and unwanted —usually used with on or living on

Borrowed (phrase)

  1. to continue to be alive after one expected to die
  2. to continue to live past the time one was expected to die and be likely to die soon
  3. to do something unnecessarily that may result in adverse reaction or repercussions

Borrowed (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in assumed

    similar: assumed, old, worn, hand-me-down, pre-owned, reach-me-down (chiefly British), secondhand
    opposite: bespoke, brand-new, custom, customized, custom-made, new, tailored, tailor-made, unused

Borrowed (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to take for one's own use (something originated by another)

    "borrowed the basic plot from a book of tales, but put her personal stamp on the story"

    similar: adopted, embraced, espoused, took on, took up, picked up on
    related: domesticated, naturalized, appropriated, arrogated, took over, usurped, absorbed, assimilated, incorporated, quoted, cherished, prized, treasured, cultivated, followed, heeded, honored, used, utilized, brought up, fostered, nurtured, raised, reared, affected, assumed, copied, imitated, pretended, put on, simulated
    near: abandoned, forsook, gave up, relinquished, surrendered, abjured, abnegated, disowned, rejected, renounced, repudiated, spurned, discarded, jettisoned, junked, threw away, threw out

Related Entry: Borrow (verb)

Borrow is a different word from Borrowed. The synonyms below are for borrow, not for borrowed.

  1. to take for one's own use (something originated by another)

    "borrowed the basic plot from a book of tales, but put her personal stamp on the story"

    similar: adopt, embrace, espouse, take on, take up, pick up on
    related: domesticate, naturalize, appropriate, arrogate, take over, usurp, absorb, assimilate, incorporate, quote, cherish, prize, treasure, cultivate, follow, heed, honor, use, utilize, bring up, foster, nurture, raise, rear, affect, assume, copy, imitate, pretend, put on, simulate
    near: abandon, forsake, give up, relinquish, surrender, abjure, abnegate, disown, reject, renounce, repudiate, spurn, discard, jettison, junk, throw away, throw out

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Borrowed

The most common words with a similar meaning to Borrowed:

Chiefly British: reach-me-down
assumed, old, worn, hand-me-down, pre-owned, secondhand, adopted, embraced, espoused, took on, took up, picked up on

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Borrowed

Words with the opposite meaning of Borrowed:

bespoke, brand-new, custom, customized, custom-made, new, tailored, tailor-made, unused

Related Words for Borrowed

domesticated, naturalized, appropriated, arrogated, took over, usurped, absorbed, assimilated, incorporated, quoted, cherished, prized, treasured, cultivated, followed, heeded, honored, used, utilized, brought up, fostered, nurtured, raised, reared, affected, copied, imitated, pretended, put on, simulated

Near Antonyms of Borrowed

abandoned, forsook, gave up, relinquished, surrendered, abjured, abnegated, disowned, rejected, renounced, repudiated, spurned, discarded, jettisoned, junked, threw away, threw out

Word Forms of Borrowed

Inflections: borrowing, borrows

Derived words: borrower (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Borrowed

Middle English borwen, from Old English borgian; akin to Old English beorgan to preserve bury

First known use: before 12th centuryt

Words & Phrases Containing Borrowed

borrowed time, be living on borrowed time, live on borrowed time

Frequently Asked Questions about Borrowed

What does "Borrowed" mean?

"Borrowed" means to receive with the implied or expressed intention of returning the same or an equivalent. As an a verb, a noun, a phrase and an adjective, it is defined as: to receive with the implied or expressed intention of returning the same or an equivalent. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Borrowed"?

Other words for "Borrowed" include assumed, old, worn, hand-me-down, pre-owned, reach-me-down, secondhand and adopted. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Borrowed" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Borrowed"?

There are 43 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Borrowed". Common alternatives include assumed, old, worn, hand-me-down, pre-owned, reach-me-down, secondhand, adopted, embraced and espoused.

What is the opposite of "Borrowed"?

Antonyms of "Borrowed" include bespoke, brand-new, custom, customized, custom-made, new, tailored and tailor-made. Near antonyms include abandoned, forsook, gave up and relinquished.

How do you use "Borrowed" in a sentence?

Examples of "Borrowed" in a sentence: "borrowed the basic plot from a book of tales, but put her personal stamp on the story".

Is "Borrowed" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Borrowed" can be used as a verb, a noun, a phrase and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Borrowed"?

"Borrowed" is pronounced /ˈbär-(ˌ)ō/ and divided into syllables as bor·row.

What is the origin of the word "Borrowed"?

"Borrowed" comes from Middle English borwen, from Old English borgian; akin to Old English beorgan to preserve bury. First known use: before 12th centuryt.