Meaning & Definition of word "Tend"

Tend

/tɛnd/

1. to stretch or extend in a specific direction.
- Example: The path tends to the left through the woods.
2. to take care of or look after.
- Example: She tends to her garden every weekend.
3. to have a tendency or predisposition to do something.
- Example: Children tend to be more active in the mornings.

Middle English 'tenden', from Old French 'tendre' meaning 'to stretch out, hold out'.

tend to:

to usually do something or be likely to have a particular characteristic

tend one's garden:

to take care of one's plants or garden

tend the fire:

to take care of the fire by adding wood or managing it

tender:

soft or delicate in texture

attend:

to be present at or to pay attention to

extend:

to stretch out, increase in length or reach

Meaning: to lean towards a certain behavior or action

Example Sentence: She tends to ghost people when she's not interested.

Meaning: to care about something casually

Example Sentence: I don't really tend to that issue, it's not my problem.