Words / B1

BEND/bend/

You bend something when you make it curve instead of staying straight: bend your knees; bend a wire; a bend in the road. Curve is close as a noun and verb; fold is for flat things like paper. Bend down / over to pick something up. The past tense is bent, not bended in standard English. Do not confuse a bend in the road with a corner in a building.

Meaning

To curve, or to make something curve rather than stay straight.

Examples

• “Bend your knees when you lift the box.”
• “There is a sharp bend just after the bridge, so slow down.”
• “He bent down to tie his shoelace before the race.”

Good to know

bend your knees. a bend in the road. Past: bent. Pick up: bend down / over. Paper: fold. Shape twin: curve.

Near in meaning

curve

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