- bound to do/be something certain or likely to happen, or to do or be something
- There are bound to be changes when the new system is introduced.
- It's bound to be sunny again tomorrow.
- You've done so much work—you're bound to pass the exam.
- It was bound to happen sooner or later (= we should have expected it).
- These problems were almost bound to arise.
- You're bound to be nervous the first time (= it's easy to understand).
Synonyms certaincertainbound ▪ sure ▪ definite ▪ guaranteedThese are all words describing something that will definitely happen or is definitely true.certain that you can rely on to happen or be true:Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyb2- It’s certain that they will agree.
- They are certain to agree.
- She’s sure to be picked for the team.
- It’s sure to rain.
- Is it definite that he’s leaving?
- That kind of behaviour is guaranteed to make him angry.
- certain/sure of something
- certain/bound/sure/guaranteed to do something
- certain/definite that…
- I couldn’t say for certain/sure/definite.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- almost
- forced to do something by law, duty or a particular situation
- bound by something We are not bound by the decision.
- You are bound by the contract to pay before the end of the month.
- bound (by something) to do something (formal) I am bound to say I disagree with you on this point.
- They are legally bound to appear in court.
Extra Examples- He was legally bound to report them to the authorities.
- Officials are bound by law to investigate any possible fraud.
- The president said the country could not be held bound by a treaty signed by the previous regime.
- We are legally bound by this decision.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- become
- …
- absolutely
- irrevocably
- by law
- …
- by
- (in compounds) prevented from going somewhere or from working normally by the conditions mentioned
- Strike-bound travellers face long delays.
- fogbound airports
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- homeward
- outward
- for
- (also in compounds) travelling, or ready to travel, in a particular direction or to a particular place
- homeward bound (= going home)
- Paris-bound
- northbound/southbound/eastbound/westbound
- bound for… a plane bound for Dublin
- tourists who are bound for Europe
- college-bound high school students
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- homeward
- outward
- for
Word Originadjective sense 4 Middle English boun (in the sense ‘ready, dressed’), from Old Norse búinn, past participle of búa ‘get ready’; the final -d is euphonic, or influenced by other adjective senses of bound.
Idioms
See bound in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee bound in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishbe bound together by/in something
- to be closely connected
- communities bound together by customs and traditions
be bound up in something
- very busy with something; very interested or involved in something
- He's too bound up in his work to have much time for his children.
bound and determined
- (North American English) very determined to do something
- I came here bound and determined to put the last 12 months behind me.
bound up with something
- closely connected with something
- From that moment my life became inextricably bound up with hers.
(feel) honour-bound to do something
- (formal) to feel that you must do something because of your sense of moral duty
- She felt honour-bound to attend as she had promised to.
- He felt honour bound to help her.
I’ll be bound
- (old-fashioned, British English, informal) I feel sure
- They’re up to some mischief, I’ll be bound!
Check pronunciation:
bound