What does lent mean?
Lent is the past tense and past participle of lend, used when a completed action of giving something temporarily is being reported. In “She lent me her bicycle,” it says that possession or use of the bicycle was transferred, normally for a period of time, without implying that ownership changed. The form is also used figuratively for giving attention, assistance, credibility, or support: a friend may “lend an ear,” a neighbour may “lend a hand,” and evidence may “lend support” to a claim. Although lent can describe valuable property, it is not limited to objects or money; its usual sense is a generous or useful act of giving. The form is standard in British and American English and works in both formal writing and conversation. Its main grammatical limitation is temporal: use “lend” for a present-tense statement, such as “She lends me her bicycle,” and “lent” for a completed or prior event. Because it functions as an inflected verb rather than an independent noun, it is normally studied alongside lend.
verbThe past tense and past participle of lend: to give someone something temporarily, or to provide or extend something such as help, attention, or support.
- Transferred temporary possession or use of something to someone.
- Gave or extended help, attention, support, credibility, or another intangible benefit.
"The curator lent us an exceptional collection of manuscripts for the exhibition."
"She lent me her bicycle for the journey to the station."
"The committee lent its support to the proposal after a lengthy debate."
From Old English for giving or granting, lent has always described more than money: books, hands, ears, and support can all be lent.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lent come from?
Lent is the past tense and past participle of lend, which comes from Old English lænan, meaning “to lend,” “give,” or “grant.” This verb descended from Proto-Germanic *lēaną and is related to other Germanic forms associated with giving or transferring property. In modern English, lent also appears in figurative expressions such as “lent an ear” and “lent a hand.”
How lent is actually used
Lent is standard in formal and informal British and American English. It is an inflected form of lend and is not normally used to express present-tense action.
Easily confused with lent
Lend is the present-tense form, while lent is its past tense and past participle.