Tend

/tɛnd/

Meaning & Definition

verb

to stretch or extend in a specific direction.

The path tends to the left through the woods.

to take care of or look after.

She tends to her garden every weekend.

to have a tendency or predisposition to do something.

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

to lean towards a certain behavior or action

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

to care about something casually

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