Lent is the correct past tense version of the verb lend. If someone has lent you something, this means they have given your something for a temporary amount of time. It is most commonly used in the context of money (i.e. banks & loans).
Lended is not a real word and should not be used in your writing.
There are many different synonyms for lent including loan, bestow, and contribute. Writers can pick the appropriate word to match the context of their writing.
In this post, we’ll dive deeper into the definition of lent, common synonyms, sentence examples, and different conjugations of the verb to lend.
What Is The Meaning Of Lent?
“Lent” is the past tense of the verb “to lend.” More specifically, it is the act of having temporarily gave or allowed someone to use something in the past. You can lend money, clothes, food, and many other objects to a friend.
The word Lent is also a Christian event, the 40 days leading up to the death of Jesus. During this time period Christians will often abstain from something they enjoy in Gods name (i.e. ice cream).
Beyond its grammatical context, “lent” finds application in various everyday scenarios.
- When a friend lent a gadget.
- When a neighbor lent a helping hand.
- When your parents lent you money for college.
What Are Synonyms For Past Tense Of Lend?
Below are different synonyms for the word lent.
- Loan. To temporarily provide something, typically money, with the expectation of repayment.
- Bestow. To grant or give something, often with a sense of generosity or beneficence for a temporary period.
- Contribute. To offer or provide something, such as money or assistance, for a specific duration.
- Provide. To supply or furnish something for temporary use or possession.
- Allow. To grant permission or give someone the opportunity to use or have something on a temporary basis.
- Share. To divide or part with something, allowing another person to use or enjoy it for a limited time.
- Grant. To formally give or permit the use of something for a specified period.
How Do You Use Lent In A Sentence?
Here are 5 sentence examples that demonstrate how to use “lent” correctly in your writing.
- Last summer, my neighbor generously lent me her lawnmower when mine broke down.
- The library kindly lent me the rare historical manuscript for a research project, giving me access to valuable information that was otherwise unavailable.
- Recognizing my need for a car during my vacation, my friend willingly lent me his vehicle for the week.
- The financial institution agreed to lend the startup company a substantial amount of capital, enabling them to expand their operations and reach a wider market.
- In a gesture of goodwill, the experienced artist lent her skills to the local community center.
What Are Different Conjugations Of Lend?
The table below contains the different conjugations of the verb to lend. Be sure to pick the correct word to match the context of your sentence.
| Person/Number | Present Tense | Past Tense | Future Tense |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | lend | lent | will lend |
| You (singular) | lend | lent | will lend |
| He/She/It | lends | lent | will lend |
| We | lend | lent | will lend |
| You (plural) | lend | lent | will lend |
| They | lend | lent | will lend |
Popularity Analysis
The word lent is used very commonly in the English language. However, Google’s on N-Gram data shows that it’s popularity has declined steadily since the 1800s. This is likely because different synonyms of lent have become increasingly popular. However, just like we saw in our phrase “due to“, the popularity of words & phrases can quickly change in a matter of years!
What Are Antonyms For Lent?
Here are 5 antonyms for the word lent.
- Stole. To take or receive something without the intention of returning it.
- Withheld. To keep back or refrain from giving or providing something for a specific period.
- Denied. To refuse to give or grant something, especially for a temporary duration.
- Retained. To keep or hold onto something without allowing others to use or have it temporarily.
- Hoarded. To accumulate or keep possession of something without sharing or giving it for a temporary period.