Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense mends, present participle mending, past tense, past participle mended
1. verb
If you mend something that is broken or not working, you repair it, so that it works properly or can be used.
They took a long time to mend the roof. [VERB noun]
Somebody else lent me a pump and helped me mend the puncture. [VERB noun]
I should have had the catch mended, but never got round to it. [have noun VERB-ed]
Synonyms: repair, fix, restore, renew More Synonyms of mend
2. verb
If a person or a part of their body mends or is mended, they get better after they have been ill or have had an injury.
You'll mend. The X-rays show that your arm will heal all right. [VERB]
I'm feeling a good bit better. The cut aches, but it's mending. [VERB]
He must have a major operation on his knee to mend severed ligaments. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: heal, improve, recover, cure More Synonyms of mend
3. verb
If you try to mend divisions between people, you try to end the disagreements or quarrels between them.
He sent Evans as his personal envoy to discuss ways to mend relations between thetwo countries. [VERB noun]
I felt that might well mend the rift between them. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: put right, settle, resolve, heal More Synonyms of mend
4.
See on the mend
5.
See on the mend
6.
See mend o's ways
7. to mend fences
More Synonyms of mend
mend in British English
(mɛnd)
verb
1. (transitive)
to repair (something broken or unserviceable)
2.
to improve or undergo improvement; reform (often in the phrase mend one's ways)
3. (intransitive)
to heal or recover
4. (intransitive)
(of conditions) to improve; become better
5. (transitive) Northern England
to feed or stir (a fire)
noun
6.
the act of repairing
7.
a mended area, esp on a garment
8. on the mend
Derived forms
mendable (ˈmendable)
adjective
mender (ˈmender)
noun
Word origin
C12: shortened from amend
mend in American English
(mɛnd)
verb transitive
1.
to repair (something broken, torn, or worn); restore to good condition; make whole; fix
2.
to make better; improve; reform; set right
to mend one's manners
3.
to atone for; make amends for
now only in least said, soonest mended
verb intransitive
4.
to get better; improve, esp. in health
5.
to grow together again or heal, as a fracture
noun
6.
the act of mending; improvement
7.
a mended place, as on a garment
Idioms:
on the mend
SYNONYMY NOTE: mend is the general word implying a making whole again something that has been broken,torn, etc. [to mend a toy, dress, etc.]; repair1, often equivalent to , mend, is preferred when the object is a relatively complex one that has become damagedor decayed through use, age, exhaustion, etc. [to repair an automobile, radio, etc.]; patch1, darn1 imply the mending of a hole, tear, etc., the former by inserting or applying a pieceof similar material [to patch a coat, a tire, etc.], the latter by sewing a network of stitches across the gap [to darn a sock]
Derived forms
mendable (ˈmendable)
adjective
mender (ˈmender)
noun
Word origin
ME menden, aphetic < amenden, amend
More idioms containing
mend
mend fences
mend your ways
Examples of 'mend' in a sentence
mend
He must mend the electric light when it fuses.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He is now on the mend.
The Sun (2017)
If you identify a problem and cannot mend it, then you are not adhering to the improvement gospel at all.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We are now trying to mend our relationship.
The Sun (2013)
Then we rush to the hurting places to heal and mend.
Christianity Today (2000)
He comes down from mending the roof of his barn for this interview.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The journey to mend social care will be long but at least this is a first step.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Set aside time to mend a fractured friendship.
The Sun (2012)
It does not sound as if the covenant in your case says who must mend the road.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
And all in a melancholy search for cash to mend the roof.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Just one call will mend a precious friendship.
The Sun (2013)
This was not the performance of a man who will be seeking time off to mend his marriage.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Some early intervention and guidance might not only stop but mend the rift that is opening up between you.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
From now until polling day voters will be told that Britain is halfway towards a mended economy.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He was back hurdling again a fortnight ago - which proved that the injury had mended.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This Pope has put a lot of energy into mending historical rifts.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
These problems rarely mend themselves.
Standen, Chris Superdog! Action plans that work for a happy and well-behaved pet (1990)
When his Achilles mended, his knee gave way as he got out of the bath.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The former Prime Minister insists that politicians from all parties should be focused on mending the economy.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The forward is recovering from Sunday's successful operation to mend a double fracture of his left leg.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Around 13,000 people a year in the UK face an operation to mend faulty heart valves.
The Sun (2013)
In other languages
mend
British English: mend /mɛnd/ VERB
If you mend something that is damaged or broken, you repair it so that it works properly or can be used.
They mended the leaking roof.
American English: mend
Arabic: يُصْلِحُ
Brazilian Portuguese: consertar
Chinese: 修改
Croatian: popraviti
Czech: opravit
Danish: reparere
Dutch: herstellen
European Spanish: reparar
Finnish: korjata
French: réparer
German: reparieren
Greek: επιδιορθώνω
Italian: riparare
Japanese: 直す
Korean: 고치다
Norwegian: reparere
Polish: naprawić
European Portuguese: consertar
Romanian: a repara
Russian: исправлять
Latin American Spanish: reparar
Swedish: laga
Thai: ซ่อมแซม
Turkish: onarmak
Ukrainian: ремонтувати
Vietnamese: sửa chữa
Chinese translation of 'mend'
mend
(mɛnd)
vt
(= repair)[object]修理 (xiūlǐ)
(= heal)[division, quarrel]弥(彌)合 (míhé)
to mend one's ways改善自己的行为(為)方式 (gǎishàn zìjǐ de xíngwéi fāngshì)
to be on the mend (inf) 在好转(轉)中 (zài hǎozhuǎn zhōng)
1 (verb)
Definition
to repair something broken or not working
They took a long time to mend the roof.
Synonyms
repair
He has repaired the roof.
fix
If something is broken, we fix it.
restore
They partly restored a local castle.
renew
the cost of renewing the buildings
patch up
renovate
They spent thousands renovating the house.
refit
During the war, navy ships were refitted here.
retouch
2 (verb)
Definition
to repair something broken or not working
cooking their meals, mending their socks
Synonyms
darn
His aunt darned his old socks.
repair
patch
elaborately patched blue jeans
stitch
Fold the fabric and stitch the two layers together.
sew
Anyone can sew a hem, including you.
3 (verb)
Definition
to heal or recover
He must have an operation to mend torn knee ligaments.The arm is broken, but you'll mend.
Synonyms
heal
No doctor has ever healed a broken bone. They just set them.
improve
She had improved so much the doctor cut her dosage.
recover
He is recovering after sustaining a knee injury.
cure
An operation finally cured his shin injury.
remedy
He's been remedying a hamstring injury.
get better
be all right
be cured
recuperate
I went away to the country to recuperate.
pull through
Everyone waited to see whether he would pull through or not.
convalesce
After two weeks I was allowed home, where I convalesced for three months.
4 (verb)
Definition
(esp. of behaviour) to improve
I felt that might mend the rift between them.
Synonyms
put right
settle
They agreed to try and settle their dispute by negotiation.
resolve
She resolved to report the matter.
heal
Sophie and her sister have healed the family rift.
sort out
remedy
A great deal has been done to remedy the situation.
redress
to redress the economic imbalance
rectify
5 (verb)
Definition
(esp. of behaviour) to improve
There will be disciplinary action if you do not mend your ways.
Synonyms
improve
He improved their house.
better
Our parents came here with the hope of bettering themselves.
reform
his plans to reform the country's economy
correct
You may need surgery to correct the problem.
revise
Three editors handled revising the articles.
amend
The committee put forward proposals to amend the penal system.
rectify
Only an act of Congress could rectify the situation.
ameliorate
Nothing can be done to ameliorate the situation.
emend
idiom
See on the mend
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ameliorate
Definition
to make (something) better
Nothing can be done to ameliorate the situation.
Synonyms
improve,
better,
benefit,
reform,
advance,
promote,
amend,
elevate,
raise,
mend,
mitigate,
make better,
assuage,
meliorate
in the sense of amend
Definition
to make small changes to something such as a piece of writing or a contract, in order to improve it
The committee put forward proposals to amend the penal system.
Synonyms
change,
improve,
reform,
fix,
correct,
repair,
edit,
alter,
enhance,
update,
revise,
modify,
remedy,
rewrite,
mend,
rectify,
tweak (informal),
ameliorate,
redraw,
rebrand,
better
in the sense of better
Definition
to improve upon
Our parents came here with the hope of bettering themselves.
Synonyms
improve,
further,
raise,
forward,
reform,
advance,
promote,
correct,
enhance,
upgrade,
amend,
mend,
rectify,
augment,
ameliorate,
meliorate
Synonyms of 'mend'
mend
Explore 'mend' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of convalesce
Definition
to recover health after an illness or operation
After two weeks I was allowed home, where I convalesced for three months.
Synonyms
recover,
rest,
rally,
rehabilitate,
recuperate,
improve
in the sense of correct
Definition
to make free from or put right errors
You may need surgery to correct the problem.
Synonyms
rectify,
remedy,
redress,
right,
improve,
reform,
cure,
adjust,
regulate,
amend,
set the record straight,
emend
in the sense of cure
Definition
to get rid of (an ailment or problem)
An operation finally cured his shin injury.
Synonyms
make better,
correct,
heal,
relieve,
remedy,
mend,
rehabilitate,
help,
ease
in the sense of fix
Definition
to repair
If something is broken, we fix it.
Synonyms
repair,
mend,
service,
sort,
correct,
restore,
adjust,
regulate,
see to,
overhaul,
patch up,
get working,
put right,
put to rights
in the sense of patch
Definition
to mend (a garment) with a patch
elaborately patched blue jeans
Synonyms
sew (up),
mend,
repair,
reinforce,
stitch (up)
in the sense of pull through
Definition
to survive or recover, esp. after a serious illness
Everyone waited to see whether he would pull through or not.
Synonyms
survive,
improve,
recover,
rally,
come through,
get better,
be all right,
recuperate,
turn the corner,
pull round,
get well again
in the sense of recover
Definition
(of a person) to regain health, spirits, or composure
He is recovering after sustaining a knee injury.
Synonyms
get better,
improve,
get well,
recuperate,
pick up,
heal,
revive,
come round,
bounce back,
mend,
turn the corner,
pull through,
convalesce,
be on the mend,
take a turn for the better,
get back on your feet,
feel yourself again,
regain your health or strength
in the sense of rectify
Definition
to put right
Only an act of Congress could rectify the situation.
Synonyms
correct,
right,
improve,
reform,
square,
fix,
repair,
adjust,
remedy,
amend,
make good,
mend,
redress,
put right,
set the record straight,
emend
in the sense of recuperate
Definition
to recover from illness or exhaustion
I went away to the country to recuperate.
Synonyms
recover,
improve,
pick up,
get better,
mend,
turn the corner,
convalesce,
be on the mend,
get back on your feet,
regain your health
in the sense of redress
Definition
to adjust in order to make fair or equal
to redress the economic imbalance
Synonyms
put right,
reform,
balance,
square,
correct,
ease,
repair,
relieve,
adjust,
regulate,
remedy,
amend,
mend,
rectify,
even up,
restore the balance
Additional synonyms
in the sense of refit
Definition
to make (a ship) ready for use again by repairing or re-equipping
During the war, navy ships were refitted here.
Synonyms
repair,
fix,
restore,
renew,
mend,
renovate,
patch up,
put back together,
restore to working order
in the sense of reform
Definition
to improve (a law or institution) by correcting abuses
his plans to reform the country's economy
Synonyms
improve,
better,
correct,
restore,
repair,
rebuild,
amend,
reclaim,
mend,
renovate,
reconstruct,
remodel,
rectify,
rehabilitate,
regenerate,
reorganize,
reconstitute,
revolutionize,
ameliorate,
emend
in the sense of remedy
He's been remedying a hamstring injury.
Synonyms
cure,
treat,
heal,
help,
control,
ease,
restore,
relieve,
soothe,
alleviate,
mitigate,
assuage,
palliate
in the sense of remedy
Definition
to put right or improve
A great deal has been done to remedy the situation.
Synonyms
put right,
redress,
rectify,
reform,
fix,
correct,
solve,
repair,
relieve,
ameliorate,
set to rights
in the sense of renew
Definition
to restore to a new or fresh condition
the cost of renewing the buildings
Synonyms
restore,
repair,
transform,
rebuild,
overhaul,
mend,
refurbish,
renovate,
refit,
redevelop,
fix up (informal, US, Canadian),
modernize,
recondition
in the sense of renovate
Definition
to restore to good condition
They spent thousands renovating the house.
Synonyms
restore,
repair,
refurbish,
do up (informal),
reform,
renew,
overhaul,
revamp,
recreate,
remodel,
rehabilitate,
refit,
fix up (informal, US, Canadian),
modernize,
reconstitute,
recondition
in the sense of resolve
Definition
to decide or determine firmly
She resolved to report the matter.
Synonyms
decide,
determine,
undertake,
make up your mind,
agree,
design,
settle,
purpose,
intend,
fix,
conclude
in the sense of restore
Definition
to reconstruct (a ruin, extinct animal, etc.)
They partly restored a local castle.
Synonyms
repair,
refurbish,
renovate,
reconstruct,
fix (up),
recover,
renew,
rebuild,
mend,
rehabilitate,
touch up,
recondition,
retouch,
set to rights
in the sense of retouch
Definition
to restore or improve (a painting or photograph) with new touches
Synonyms
touch up,
finish,
improve,
correct,
restore,
renovate,
brush up,
recondition
in the sense of revise
Definition
to prepare a new edition of (a previously printed work)
Three editors handled revising the articles.
Synonyms
edit,
correct,
alter,
update,
amend,
rewrite,
revamp,
rework,
redo,
rebrand,
emend
Additional synonyms
in the sense of settle
Definition
to put in order
They agreed to try and settle their dispute by negotiation.
Synonyms
resolve,
work out,
remedy,
reconcile,
clear up,
put an end to,
iron out,
straighten out,
set to rights
in the sense of sew
Definition
to attach, fasten, or close by sewing
Anyone can sew a hem, including you.
Synonyms
stitch,
tack (British),
seam,
hem,
baste
in the sense of stitch
Definition
to sew or fasten (something) with stitches
Fold the fabric and stitch the two layers together.