bound
bound — verb
1. to move forward in a series of big, lively jumps.
to move forward in a series of big, lively jumps.
The puppy bounded across the wet grass toward Ravi's red ball.
bound across + place
A frightened deer bounded over the fence and into the road.
bound over + obstacle
After the bell rang, the children bounded down the stairs to lunch.
Hana bounded out of the shop when she heard the ice-cream truck.
bound out of + place
The big dog bounded through shallow water beside the boys.
- bound across a field
- bound over a wall
- bound down the stairs
- bound out of the house
- bound through water
Grammar Patterns
bound across + [place]
bound over + [thing]
bound out of + [place]
Usage Note
Usually followed by a phrase showing direction or place. It paints a stronger, more energetic picture than the everyday verbs 'run' or 'jump', and is especially common for animals or excited people.
Common Mistakes
2. to make the outer edge of an area, or to run along one side of it.
to make the outer edge of an area, or to run along one side of it.
The school yard is bounded by a brick wall and tall trees.
usually passive: be bounded by
A narrow river bounded the farm on its eastern side.
bound + area + on + side
The old map showed fields bounded by stone paths.
Our village is bounded on the north by low green hills.
The garden was bounded by wooden fences after the storm repairs.
- bounded by walls
- bounded by trees
- bounded by a river
- bounded on the north by hills
- bounded by fences
Grammar Patterns
be bounded by + [thing]
bound + [area] on + [side]
Usage Note
Frequently passive, especially in geography or property descriptions. The subject is the place being enclosed, while the edge or limit usually follows 'by'. Distinguish this from sense 1, where something physically moves by jumping.
Common Mistakes
3. past tense and past participle form of bind.
past tense and past participle form of bind.
Ravi bound the papers with blue string before the meeting.
past tense: bound + object + with
The nurse bound Mei's ankle after she fell on the steps.
The old books were bound in dark leather and gold cloth.
past participle: be bound in + material
By noon, the workers had bound the boxes with plastic tape.
- bound with string
- bound the wound
- bound in leather
- bound the boxes with tape
Grammar Patterns
bound + [thing] with + [material]
be bound in + [material]
Usage Note
This is the irregular past tense and past participle of 'bind'. It often appears in physical tying patterns such as 'bound the papers with string' and in passive descriptions of books or injuries.
Common Mistakes
bound — noun
1. one strong leap that carries a person or animal forward or upward.
one strong leap that carries a person or animal forward or upward.
The deer cleared the fence in one bound and vanished into the trees.
in one bound: with a single jump
Zara made a bound from the rock to the dry bank.
make a bound + from ... to ...
The dog crossed the stream with a bound and shook off water.
One bound took Ravi over the fallen branch on the path.
The horse came over the low gate in a smooth bound.
- in one bound
- with a bound
- make a bound
Grammar Patterns
in one bound
with a bound
make a bound
Usage Note
Often appears in phrases like in one bound or with a bound, especially in vivid descriptions of fast movement by animals or people.
Common Mistakes
2. the point beyond which law, rules, or accepted behaviour should not go.
the point beyond which law, rules, or accepted behaviour should not go.
The judge said the protest stayed within the bounds of the law.
within the bounds of the law
Jokes about her accent went beyond the bounds of good manners.
beyond the bounds of + behaviour standard
Even angry parents must keep their words within reasonable bounds.
within reasonable bounds
The article pushed the bounds of public debate by naming local teenagers.
The manager's midnight calls were outside the bounds of normal office behavior.
- within the bounds of the law
- beyond the bounds of good manners
- within reasonable bounds
- limit
the most general word for the farthest acceptable point
- boundary
often more physical, though it can be social too
- restriction
emphasises a rule that actively holds something back
Grammar Patterns
within the bounds of X
beyond the bounds of X
outside the bounds of X
Usage Note
Usually plural in phrases like within the bounds of and beyond the bounds of. Common when judging what law or polite behaviour allows.
Common Mistakes
bound — adjective
1. so likely that you can expect it to happen or prove true.
so likely that you can expect it to happen or prove true.
With black clouds over the harbour, the ferry is bound to leave late.
pattern: be bound to + infinitive
After three missed alarms, Ravi was bound to arrive after the meeting started.
That wet paint is bound to mark your coat if you lean there.
bound to + verb for expected result
With so many fans outside, the singer was bound to notice the noise.
- bound to happen
- bound to notice
- bound to leave
- bound to arrive
- certain
more neutral and common in general statements
- sure
slightly more conversational
- inevitable
stronger; suggests it cannot be avoided
Grammar Patterns
be bound to + infinitive
Usage Note
Almost always follows a form of 'be' and takes a to-infinitive. Distinguish from sense 4: this sense predicts what will happen, not what someone is required to do.
Common Mistakes
2. required to act in a particular way because of law, an agreement, or a moral pro
required to act in a particular way because of law, an agreement, or a moral promise.
By law, the museum is bound to return the painting to the family.
legal duty: be bound to + infinitive
Our team is bound by contract to finish the bridge this year.
pattern: be bound by + noun
Judge Chen was bound to follow the rule, even in that sad case.
Because of her promise, Yara felt bound to visit her aunt every week.
moral duty with felt bound to
- bound by contract
- bound by law
- bound to return
- feel bound to help
- obliged
close in meaning, especially for duty
- required
more neutral and often used in rules
- duty-bound
stronger; stresses moral responsibility
- free
not required to do it
- unconstrained
more formal; without restriction
Grammar Patterns
be bound to + infinitive
be bound by + noun
Usage Note
Often appears in legal, formal, or promise-based contexts. Distinguish from sense 1: both can use 'bound to + verb', but this sense means obligation, not high probability.
Common Mistakes
3. travelling, about to travel, or clearly moving toward a particular place, direct
travelling, about to travel, or clearly moving toward a particular place, direction, or future result.
The night bus is bound for Tainan after the last stop here.
be bound for + place
Three wet hikers stood by the road, bound for the mountain village.
With those grades, Noor is bound for medical school next year.
figurative: bound for + future goal
By noon, the fishing boats were bound south along the rocky coast.
bound + direction word
Unless costs fall soon, the project looks bound for another delay.
bound for + likely result
- bound for + place
- bound for college
- bound for trouble
- homeward bound
Grammar Patterns
be bound for + place
be bound for + future result
Usage Note
With a destination, the usual pattern is 'bound for + place'. Distinguish this sense from adjective/1 CERTAIN: 'bound to' usually means something is very likely, not that it is travelling somewhere.
Common Mistakes
4. firmly decided that you will do something, even if it is difficult.
firmly decided that you will do something, even if it is difficult.
Leila is bound and determined to open her bakery before winter.
fixed phrase: bound and determined
After the first failure, Omar stayed bound and determined to pass the exam.
The young coach sounded bound and determined to rebuild the team.
be bound and determined to + verb
Priya came to city hall bound and determined to save the old market.
- bound and determined
- bound and determined to win
- bound and determined to save
- determined
the closest everyday equivalent
- set on
more informal; often used before a goal
- resolved
slightly more formal
Grammar Patterns
be bound and determined to + infinitive
Usage Note
Now most often appears in the fixed phrase 'bound and determined'. Distinguish from sense 1 and sense 4: those usually use plain 'bound to' for likelihood or duty, not strong personal resolve.
Common Mistakes
5. held tightly by rope, string, or something similar so that movement is limited.
held tightly by rope, string, or something similar so that movement is limited.
The guard found the driver bound to a chair with orange rope.
pattern: bound to + object
A goat stood bound near the gate while the farmer fixed the cart.
The stolen newspapers were bound in tight bundles with blue string.
bound in bundles
During the play, Theo lay bound hand and foot on the stage.
fixed phrase: bound hand and foot
- bound to a chair
- bound hand and foot
- bound in bundles
Grammar Patterns
be bound to + object
bound hand and foot
Usage Note
Common in descriptions of people, animals, or objects physically tied in place. Distinguish from sense 6: this sense is about being tied, not about the cover of a book.
Common Mistakes
6. used for a book whose pages are fixed inside a cover, often one made from a name
used for a book whose pages are fixed inside a cover, often one made from a named material.
The library keeps the oldest maps in bound volumes near the desk.
collocation: bound volume
A journal bound in leather lay open beside Hana's bed.
pattern: bound in + material
The museum displayed a prayer book bound in red cloth.
Our teacher showed us a bound copy of the school magazine.
collocation: bound copy
- bound volume
- bound copy
- bound in leather
- bound in cloth
- loose-leaf
with separate pages not fixed together
- unbound
not yet fixed into a cover
Grammar Patterns
bound in + material
bound volume
bound copy
Usage Note
Most often used before nouns like 'volume' or 'copy', or after a noun with 'bound in + material'. Distinguish from sense 5: here the pages are fixed into a cover, not tied up with rope.
7. used to say that you feel sure a guess or opinion is right.
used to say that you feel sure a guess or opinion is right.
Nadia's plate is sticky; she took the last mango, I'll be bound.
fixed phrase at clause end: I'll be bound
The football rolled there; those boys are hiding behind the shed, I'll be bound.
Mr. Sato is smiling at the quiz sheet; he knows the answer, I'll be bound.
The dog is wagging at the gate; it heard Bao, I'll be bound.
spoken guess based on a clue
- I'll be bound
- maybe
shows uncertainty instead of confidence
Grammar Patterns
I'll be bound
Usage Note
Used as a fixed spoken expression, usually 'I'll be bound', often after a guess. Distinguish from sense 1: this is the speaker's personal opinion, not a neutral prediction.
to be joined closely because people share the same experience, values, or situation.
The island families are bound together by fishing, storms, and shared stories.
to be so busy with something, or so deeply involved in it, that little attention goes elsewhere.
Since the merger, Farouk has been too bound up in meetings to rest.
bound and determined
idiomcompletely set on doing something and not willing to change your plan.
Uma was bound and determined to win back the village library.
to be linked so closely with something that the two are hard to separate.
Mei's decision was bound up with her mother's health and the hospital bills.
to feel you must do something because you promised it or because it seems morally right.
After promising the class, Mr. Ali felt honour-bound to coach them on Saturday.
I'll be bound
idiomused to say that you feel very sure something is true.
That noise is Theo dropping pans again, I'll be bound.
I’ll be bound
idiomUsed to say that you are very certain about something.
He will win the race, I'll be bound.
They are hiding something, I'll be bound.
bound — suffix
1. joined to a direction or destination word to describe a train, bus, flight, road
joined to a direction or destination word to describe a train, bus, flight, road, or other movement that is going that way.
We boarded the eastbound train just before sunrise in Tainan.
direction word + -bound: eastbound train
An Oslo-bound flight was delayed by heavy snow at the airport.
place name + -bound: Oslo-bound flight
Priya waved at the homebound bus outside the night market.
The westbound lane stayed closed after a truck hit the bridge.
A southbound coach left early with only six passengers aboard.
- eastbound train
- Oslo-bound flight
- homebound bus
- westbound lane
- southbound coach
- heading for
a phrase used after a verb, not a compact adjective before a noun.
- going to
plain wording that does not form the same compound adjective pattern.
Grammar Patterns
place/direction + -bound -> adjective
Usage Note
Usually built from direction words and place names, especially for transport routes and journeys. Longer destination compounds are often hyphenated.
Common Mistakes
2. added to a place or condition word to mean someone cannot get away from that pla
added to a place or condition word to mean someone cannot get away from that place because of illness, weather, or another bad situation.
Heavy fog kept three ferries weather-bound at the harbour all morning.
cause + -bound: weather-bound
After her fall, Mrs. Ito became housebound for nearly two months.
place + -bound for restricted movement
The children were snowbound in the mountain cabin for four days.
A broken leg left Yusuf bed-bound through the whole exam week.
A stroke left Mr. Ndlovu wheelchair-bound for the rest of winter.
- weather-bound ferries
- housebound patient
- snowbound cabin
- bed-bound student
- wheelchair-bound man
Grammar Patterns
place/condition + -bound -> adjective
Usage Note
Common bases name the place or cause that traps someone: housebound, bed-bound, snowbound, weather-bound. Most compounds describe restriction caused by circumstances, not a chosen stay.
Common Mistakes
3. joined to a material or fastening word to form an adjective for books with that
joined to a material or fastening word to form an adjective for books with that kind of cover or binding.
The library keeps a leather-bound Bible in a glass case.
material + -bound for book cover
Hana gave me a spiral-bound notebook for sketching on the train.
method + -bound for fastening style
A cloth-bound dictionary sat beside the lamp in Grandpa's study.
The printer delivered a wire-bound workbook for the evening class.
Noa found a paper-bound guidebook in the seat pocket.
- leather-bound Bible
- spiral-bound notebook
- cloth-bound dictionary
- wire-bound workbook
- paper-bound guidebook
Grammar Patterns
material/method + -bound -> adjective for books
Usage Note
Mostly used with books and notebooks. The base names either the outer material (leather-bound, cloth-bound) or the fastening style (spiral-bound, wire-bound).
Common Mistakes
4. joined to a material word to form an adjective for items that have that material
joined to a material word to form an adjective for items that have that material around the edge.
The tailor showed us a fur-bound cape from the winter play.
material + -bound for decorative edging
Mei wore a ribbon-bound hat to the school festival parade.
edge trim on clothing or accessories
A velvet-bound cushion lay on the old wooden bench.
The shop window displayed lace-bound gloves for the wedding season.
- fur-bound cape
- ribbon-bound hat
- velvet-bound cushion
- lace-bound gloves
Grammar Patterns
material + -bound -> adjective for trimmed edges
Usage Note
Usually describes decorative trim on clothing, soft furnishings, or small objects. The base names the material around the edge, not the whole object.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
These words all point to expectation, but they do not work in exactly the same way. 'Bound' in adjective sense 1 is strongest in the pattern 'be bound to + verb' and suggests that the result almost cannot fail to happen. 'Certain' is a close neutral choice and works in more formal statements. 'Sure' is more conversational and common in speech. 'Likely' is weaker: it says something will probably happen, but leaves more room for doubt. 'Inevitable' is stronger than all of them and suggests that no one can stop the result. Compare: 'With that dark sky, the ferry is bound to leave late' versus 'Rain is likely this afternoon.'
Common collocations
Nouns
- bound volume
- bound copy
- northbound train
- leather-bound book
Phrases
- be bound to + infinitive
- be bound for + place
- be bound by + noun
- bound and determined
- I'll be bound
Prepositions
- bound to
- bound for
- bound by
- bound in
Etymology
Modern 'bound' brings together several older English words that later came to share one spelling. The duty and tied senses grew from the past participle of 'bind', from Old English 'bindan'. The travelling sense, as in 'bound for Taipei', comes from Old Norse 'buinn', meaning 'prepared' or 'ready to go'. The noun and verb about limits come through French and medieval Latin words for a boundary or marker. The jumping verb and noun are later arrivals from French 'bondir', 'to leap'. That is why one short word now covers obligation, travel, borders, book covers, and jumping movement.