- 1[transitive] to bend something, especially paper or cloth, so that one part lies on top of another part fold something (up) He folded the map up and put it in his pocket. First, fold the paper in half/in two. fold something (back, down, over, etc.) The blankets had been folded down. a pile of neatly folded clothes The bird folded its wings. opposite unfold see foldup
- 2[transitive, intransitive] to bend something so that it becomes smaller or flatter and can be stored or carried more easily; to bend or be able to bend in this way fold something (away/down/up) The bed can be folded away during the day. fold (away/up) The table folds up when not in use. (figurative) When she heard the news, her legs just folded under her (= she fell). + adj. The ironing board folds flat for easy storage.
- 3[transitive] to wrap something around someone or something fold A in B She gently folded the baby in a blanket. fold B around/over A She folded a blanket around the baby.
- 4[intransitive] (of a company, a play, etc.) to close because it is not successful The new musical folded after only twenty performances. Idioms
verb jump to other results
NAmE//foʊld//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they fold he / she / it folds
past simple folded
-ing form folding
to put one of your arms over the other one and hold them against your body He stood watching her with his arms folded across his chest.
to bring or hold your hands together with the fingers bent She kept her hands folded in her lap.
to put your arms around someone and hold them against your body Phrasal Verbsfold in
Check pronunciation: fold