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Definition of mend verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

mend

verb
 
/mend/
 
/mend/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they mend
 
/mend/
 
/mend/
he / she / it mends
 
/mendz/
 
/mendz/
past simple mended
 
/ˈmendɪd/
 
/ˈmendɪd/
past participle mended
 
/ˈmendɪd/
 
/ˈmendɪd/
-ing form mending
 
/ˈmendɪŋ/
 
/ˈmendɪŋ/
Idioms
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  1. [transitive] mend something (British English) to repair something that has been damaged or broken so that it can be used again
    • Could you mend my bike for me?
    see also fence-mending
    Extra Examples
    • I was trying to mend that broken clock.
    • I'll get my guitar mended.
    • The front gate needed mending.
  2. [transitive] mend something to repair a hole in a piece of clothing, etc.
    • He mended shoes for a living.
    • She ought to learn to mend her own clothes.
  3. [transitive] mend something to find a solution to a problem or disagreement
    • They tried to mend their differences.
    Extra Examples
    • He has been trying to mend relations between the two countries.
    • This debate will not mend matters.
    Topics Discussion and agreementc2
  4. [intransitive] (old-fashioned) (of a person) to improve in health after being ill synonym recover
    • He's mending slowly after the operation.
  5. [intransitive] (of a broken bone) to join up and return to normal
  6. Word OriginMiddle English: shortening of amend.
Idioms
least said soonest mended
  1. (British English, saying) a bad situation will pass or be forgotten most quickly if nothing more is said about it
mend (your) fences (with somebody)
  1. to find a solution when you disagree with somebody
    • The White House already is struggling to mend fences with Europe.
    • Is it too late to mend fences with your ex-wife?
    related noun fence-mendingTopics Discussion and agreementc2
mend your ways
  1. to stop behaving badly
See mend in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
trait
noun
 
 
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