Basic Details
Word: Borrowing
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Taking and using something that belongs to someone else, meaning to give it back later. As a noun, a borrowing is also a word taken from another language.
Synonyms: taking, using
Antonyms: lending, returning
Sounds like: burrowing (digging a hole or tunnel, as rabbits do)
How to Spell Borrowing
Syllables: bor - row - ing
Tricky part: There is a double r but only one w. Don't confuse it with burrowing, which has a u.
Watch out for: borowing, borrowwing, borroing
Memory tip: Borrow has two r's, two o's and a single w at the end: b-o-rr-o-w. Then add ing and change nothing.
Idioms and Phrases
- living on borrowed time: continuing to live or last longer than expected. Example: "Our old car is living on borrowed time; it breaks down every week."
Usage Examples
Example 1: I am borrowing my brother's calculator for the maths test.
Example 2: The bank charges interest on borrowing.
Example 3: Without borrowing from the library, I could never read so many books.
Fun Fact
English is full of borrowings: pyjamas comes from Persian through Hindi and Urdu, and the word thug comes from Hindi.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
One letter in this word is not needed. Find it:
borrowwing
a) w
b) r
c) o
d) g
Show answer
a) w. The w of borrow is never doubled, whatever ending follows.
Spell-o-Spell
Three words in the list are spelt correctly and one is misspelt. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word.
1. repaying 2. lending 3. owing 4. borowing
a) paying back money that was borrowed
b) giving something to someone for a time
c) taking something with the plan to give it back
d) having to pay or give back to someone
Show answer
c) taking something with the plan to give it back. Borowing has lost one r; borrow always has rr.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word borrowing as used in the sentence:
Rahul kept borrowing his sister's bicycle without asking her first.
a) using
b) taking
c) riding
d) lending
Show answer
d) lending. When you lend, you give something for a while; when you borrow, you receive it.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters to find the word that fits the sentence:
The library fine for iworbrong a book past its due date is two rupees a day.
a) brewing
b) browsing
c) burrowing
d) borrowing
Show answer
d) borrowing. Burrowing has a u, and the jumble has two o's, so the word is borrowing.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which word is an English borrowing from Hindi?
a) table
b) kitchen
c) bungalow
d) window
Show answer
c) bungalow
2. If you are borrowing a book, the book ____.
a) was bought by you
b) belongs to someone else
c) is yours to keep
d) has been lost
Show answer
b) belongs to someone else
