borrowed

She borrowed a book from the library.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Taken or received from another source with the intention of returning or replacing: "borrowed" describes something that is obtained temporarily from someone or something else.
   • Adopted from another language or culture: In linguistics or cultural contexts, "borrowed" refers to words, customs, or ideas taken from another language or group and used as one's own.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • He wore a borrowed suit to the wedding. (The suit was obtained temporarily from someone else.)
  • The English word "ketchup" is borrowed from Chinese. (The word was adopted from another language.)

Advanced Usage

• "borrowed time": an extended period of survival or existence beyond what was expected.

  • After the diagnosis, he felt he was living on borrowed time. (He believed his life was prolonged beyond the expected limit.)

• "borrowed plumes": a phrase meaning someone who pretends to be more important or impressive by using someone else's achievements or possessions.

  • Her confident speech was full of borrowed plumes from famous authors. (She used others' ideas to appear knowledgeable.)

Variants and Related Words

• Borrow (verb): to take something temporarily with the intention of returning it.

  • Can I borrow your pen for a moment? (Requesting temporary use of the pen.)

• Borrower (noun): a person who borrows something.

  • The borrower must return the book by Friday. (The person who took the book.)

• Borrowing (noun): the act of taking something temporarily, or something that is borrowed.

  • The borrowing of money from the bank requires interest. (The act of taking a loan.)

Synonyms

• Loaned: given temporarily (though "loaned" is from the lender's perspective; "borrowed" is from the receiver's).

  • This is a loaned car. (The car is temporarily provided.)

• Adopted: taken from another source for use.

  • The adopted word became common in English. (The word was taken from another language.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Borrow from: to take something from a source.

  • She borrowed from the library's collection. (She obtained books from the library.)

• Borrow against: to take money using property as security.

  • He borrowed against his house to start a business. (He got a loan using his house as collateral.)

Related Idioms

• Borrow trouble: to worry about something unnecessarily or in advance.

  • Don't borrow trouble by worrying about the exam results now. (Avoid unnecessary anxiety.)

• Borrowed time: (see Advanced Usage)