Meaning & Definition of Tend in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: to take care of or look after someone or something

  Example Sentence: She tends to the garden every weekend.

• Definition: to be inclined or likely to do something

  Example Sentence: He tends to forget important dates.

• Definition: to stretch or direct toward a particular point

  Example Sentence: The road tends to the south.

• Definition: to serve as a caregiver or attendant

  Example Sentence: He tends to the elderly at the nursing home.

Etymology

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

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• 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

Translations

• Spanish: tender

• French: tendre

• German: tenden

• Russian: тендировать

Related Words

• 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

Slang Meanings of tend

• 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.