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¹mend

verb \ˈmend\

: to make (something broken or damaged) usable again : to repair (something broken or damaged)

: to heal or cure (a broken bone, a sad feeling, etc.)

Full Definition of MEND

transitive verb

: to free from faults or defects: as

a : to improve in manners or morals : reform

b : to set right : correct

c : to put into good shape or working order again : patch up : repair

d : to improve or strengthen (as a relationship) by negotiation or conciliation —used chiefly in the phrase mend fences <spends the weekend mending political fences — E. O. Hauser>

e : to restore to health : cure

: to make amends or atonement for <least said, soonest mended>

intransitive verb

: to improve morally : reform

: to become corrected or improved

: to improve in health; also : heal

— mend·able \ˈmen-də-bəl\ adjective

— mend·er noun

See mend defined for English-language learners

See mend defined for kids

Origin of MEND

Middle English, short for amenden — more at amend

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to MEND

Synonyms: doctor, fix, patch, recondition, renovate, repair, revamp

Synonym Discussion of MEND

mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective. mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured <mended the torn dress>. repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation <repaired the back steps>. patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material <patch worn jeans>. rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing <a rebuilt automobile engine>.

Rhymes with MEND

bend, blend, blende, end, fend, friend, lend, rend, scend, send, shend, spend, tend, trend, vend, wend, Wend

²mend

noun

: a place where something (such as a piece of clothing) has been repaired

Full Definition of MEND

: an act of mending : repair

: a mended place

— on the mend

: getting better : improving

See mend defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of MEND

14th century

MENDED Defined for Kids

¹mend

verb \ˈmend\

mend·edmend·ing

Definition of MEND for Kids

: improve, correct <I suggest you mend your ways.>

: to put into good shape or working order again <Can you mend a torn sleeve?>

: to improve in health : heal <Your injury will soon mend.>

— mend·er noun

Synonym Discussion of MEND

mend, patch, repair mean to take something that has been damaged and make it usable again. mend is used for making something that has been broken or damaged once again whole or fit for use. <Fishermen were mending their nets.> patch is used for mending a hole or tear by using the same or similar material. <Patch the hole with concrete.> patch may also be used for a hurried, careless job. <Just patch the roof for now.> repair is used for a skillful mending of a complicated thing. <The mechanic repaired our car.>