fend Meaning & Definition
What Does Fend Mean?
Fend is used as a noun meaning Self-support; taking care of one's own well-being. As a verb, it means To take care of oneself; to take responsibility for one's own well-being.
Word Facts for Fend
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈfɛnd/ |
| Plural | fends |
| Verb forms | fends, fending, fended |
Fend Definition (Noun)
- Self-support; taking care of one's own well-being.
Fend as a Verb
- To take care of oneself; to take responsibility for one's own well-being.
- (except as "fend for oneself") To defend, to take care of (typically construed with for); to block or push away (typically construed with off).
Noun
- An enemy; fiend; the Devil.
Synonyms of Fend
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Fend synonyms and antonyms →Word Forms & Grammar
fend (third-person singular simple present fends, present participle fending, simple past and past participle fended)
fend (uncountable)
fend (plural fends)
Words That Rhyme With Fend
Origin of Fend
Origin 1: From Middle English fenden (“defend, fight, prevent”), shortening of defenden (“defend”), from Old French deffendre (Modern French défendre), from Latin dēfendō (“to ward off”), from dē- + *fendō (“hit, thrust”), from Proto-Italic *fendō, from Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰen- (“strike, kill”).
Origin 2: From Middle English fēnd, feond, from Old English fēond (“adversary, foe, enemy, fiend, devil, Satan”), from Proto-Germanic *fijandz, present participle of *fijaną, from Proto-Indo-European *peh₁- (“to hate”). More at fiend.
Questions People Ask About Fend
Is fend a noun or a verb?
Fend is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is the plural of fend?
The plural of fend is fends.
What is the past tense of fend?
The past tense of fend is fended. The present participle is fending.