Meaning

To physically repair (something that is broken, defaced, decayed, torn, or otherwise damaged)..

Definitions by Sense

1. To physically repair (something that is broken, defaced, decayed, torn, or otherwise damaged).
2. To add fuel to (a fire).
3. To correct or put right (an error, a fault, etc.); to rectify, to remedy.
4. To put (something) in a better state; to ameliorate, to improve, to reform, to set right.
5. To remove fault or sin from (someone, or their behaviour or character); to improve morally, to reform.
6. In mend one's pace: to adjust (a pace or speed), especially to match that of someone or something else; also, to quicken or speed up (a pace).
7. To correct or put right the defects, errors, or faults of (something); to amend, to emend, to fix.
8. To increase the quality of (someone or something); to better, to improve on; also, to produce something better than (something else).

Example Sentences

My trousers have a big rip in them and need mending.

When your car breaks down, you can take it to the garage to have it mended.

[H]e [Jesus] ſawe other two brethren, James the ſonne of Zebede, and Jhon his brother, in the ſhip with Zebede their father, mendynge their nettes, and called them. And they without tarynge lefte yͤ ſhyp and their father, and folowed hym.

[A] fellow mending the tiles just when the fire broke out, saw a pot with wildfire in the room.

Then, Betsey, my dear, run into the kitchen, and see if Rebecca has put the water on; and tell her to bring in the tea-things as soon as she can. I wish we could get the bell mended—but Betsey is a very handy little messenger.

The boy first remembered him as sitting in the door of the plantation blacksmith-shop, where he sharpened plow-points and mended tools and even did rough carpenter-work when he was not in the woods.

[I]n, you Rogue, and vvipe the pigges, and mend the fire, that they fall not, or I'le both baſte and roaſt you, till your eyes drop out, like 'hem.

He mended the fire and turned the meat on the greenwood racks.

Word Forms

• mends
• mending
• mended
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• mend
• mendest
• mendedst
• mendeth
• -

Synonyms for mend

Antonyms for mend

Related Words

When Should You Use Mend?

Use mend when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions