# bend

> English word · Verb · IPA /bɛnd/ · frequency rank #5,762

## Definitions
1. To cause (something) to change its shape into a curve, by physical force, chemical action, or any other means.
2. To become curved.
3. To cause to change direction.
4. To change direction.
5. To be inclined; to direct itself.
6. To stoop.
7. To bow in prayer, or in token of submission.
8. To force to submit.
9. To submit.
10. To apply to a task or purpose.
11. To apply oneself to a task or purpose.
12. To adapt or interpret to for a purpose or beneficiary.
13. To tie, as in securing a line to a cleat; to shackle a chain to an anchor; make fast.
14. To smoothly change the pitch of a note.
15. To swing the body when rowing.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰendʰ-der.
Proto-Germanic *bindaną
Proto-Indo-European *-yeti
Proto-Indo-European *-éyeti
Proto-Germanic *-janą
Proto-Germanic *bandijaną
Proto-West Germanic *bandijan
Old English bendan
Middle English benden
English bend
From Middle English benden, from Old English bendan (“to bind or bend (a bow), fetter, restrain”), from Proto-West Germanic *bandijan, from Proto-Germanic *bandijaną (“to bend”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰendʰ- (“to bind, tie”).
Cognate with Middle High German benden (“to fetter”), Danish bænde (“to bend”), Norwegian bende (“to bend”), Faroese benda (“to bend, inflect”), Icelandic benda (“to bend”). Related to bind, band, bond.

## Easily confused with
- **bn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bn)
- **bet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bet)
- **BID** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bid)
- **bin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bin)
- **bud** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bud)
- **BON** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bon)
- **bun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bun)
- **bey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bey)
- **bpd** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bpd)
- **bod** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bod)
- **bev** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bev)
- **bes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bes)
- **ber** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-ber)
- **best** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-best)
- **bird** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bird)
- **bond** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bond)
- **bone** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bone)
- **bold** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-bold)
- **beta** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-beta)
- **brad** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bend-vs-brad)

## Common misspellings (6)
`bbend`, `bedn`, `bendd`, `bennd`, `bned`, `ebnd`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/bend