mend

mend — verb

1. to put an object or relationship back into good condition after it has been torn

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to put an object or relationship back into good condition after it has been torn, damaged, or stopped working correctly — for instance, repairing a shirt with a hole, fixing a broken chair, or rebuilding trust between people

Example

Tunde used a needle and thread to mend the hole in his jeans.

mend + hole/tear in clothing

Salma and her older brother finally mended their relationship after months of silence.

mend + relationship after disagreement

Common collocations
  • mend a shirt
  • mend a relationship
  • mend a fence
  • mend a tear
  • mend a hole
Synonyms
  • repair

    more formal and common for mechanical and electronic objects

  • fix

    more informal, used for everyday problems of all kinds

  • patch

    specifically means covering a hole with a separate piece of material

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

mend + noun phrase (the thing being fixed)

Usage Note

Often used for fabric, clothing, and relationships. For electronic or mechanical repairs, 'fix' or 'repair' are far more common in everyday speech.

Common Mistakes

I mended my computer with new parts.
I fixed my computer with new parts.
'mend' sounds odd for electronic devices; use 'fix' or 'repair'.

2. to become healthy again after being hurt or injured — used especially for bones,

2.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to become healthy again after being hurt or injured — used especially for bones, wounds, and skin that grow back together naturally

Example

The doctor said Haruto's broken arm would mend in about six weeks.

broken arm + will mend (future healing)

Linh's sprained ankle is slowly mending, and she can walk without crutches now.

Common collocations
  • bone mends
  • wound mends
  • ankle mends
  • cut mends
  • mend slowly
  • mend quickly
Synonyms
  • heal

    more common for all types of injuries and illnesses; 'mend' is slightly more specific to bones

  • recover

    broader in meaning, used for health returning after any illness or injury

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

mend (no object) — subject is bone, wound, or injured body part

Usage Note

Only used for living tissue — bones, wounds, cuts, and skin. Do not use for general illnesses such as colds, fevers, or the flu.

Common Mistakes

My cold is finally mending.
My cold is finally getting better.
'mend' is used for wounds and broken bones, not for general illnesses like a cold or cough.

3. to change from bad behaviour to good behaviour — to begin acting in a more accep

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to change from bad behaviour to good behaviour — to begin acting in a more acceptable and responsible way, always appearing in the fixed phrase 'mend one's ways'

Example

After being caught cheating, Ilan promised his teachers he would mend his ways.

mend one's ways (fixed phrase for stopping bad behaviour)

The manager warned Erik that he must mend his ways or lose his job.

Common collocations
  • mend one's ways
Synonyms
  • reform

    more formal and broader in application, can apply to systems as well as people

  • improve

    more general, not specifically about stopping bad behaviour

Antonyms
  • relapse

    to fall back into bad behaviour after trying to change

Grammar Patterns

mend one's ways

mend one's manners

Usage Note

Almost always appears as the fixed phrase 'mend one's ways' (or occasionally 'mend one's manners'). The object is always a possessive pronoun + 'ways' or 'manners'.

Common Mistakes

He mended his behaviour after the warning.
He mended his ways after the warning.
'behaviour' is not used with 'mend' in this sense; the fixed expression is 'mend one's ways'.
Idioms

on the mend

idiom

recovering from an illness, injury, or difficult period; becoming healthy or strong again

Grandma was in hospital last week, but she is on the mend now and coming home tomorrow.

After months of financial trouble, the company is finally on the mend.

mend fences

idiom

to improve or repair a relationship after an argument or disagreement

The two politicians met to mend fences after their public argument on live television.

Heather called her cousin to mend fences after their argument about the family business.

least said soonest mended

idiom

A problem or argument is more likely to be forgotten if people stop talking about it.

After the fight, Mia decided that least said soonest mended.

Dad told us to drop the topic because least said soonest mended.

mend (your) fences (with somebody)

idiom

To try to improve a relationship after a disagreement or conflict.

After the argument, Tom tried to mend fences with his neighbor.

Sara is planning to mend fences with her colleague next week.

mend your ways

idiom

To stop behaving badly and start acting in a better way.

The teacher warned the student to mend his ways or face detention.

After getting into trouble, Lisa decided to mend her ways.

mend — noun

Word family

  • mending
    nounB2
  • unmended
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe making something work again, but they differ in scope and formality. 'Repair' is the most neutral and widely used — it suits everything from a phone screen to a road. 'Fix' is more informal and everyday ('I fixed the tap') and is very common in spoken English. 'Mend' is more specific: it traditionally describes repairing fabric, clothing, or relationships ('mend a shirt', 'mend a friendship') and would sound odd for electronics or machinery. 'Patch' is the narrowest — it means covering a hole with a separate piece of material, and can also be used metaphorically ('patch up a relationship'). 'Restore' implies bringing something back to its original or ideal condition, often with care and skill ('restore an antique painting'). For a hole in a shirt, 'mend' is the natural choice. For a broken phone, use 'fix' or 'repair'.

repair ↗fix ↗patch ↗restore ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

  • with (a needle and thread)
  • in (the knee/elbow of clothing)

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Shortened in Middle English from 'amend', which came from Old French 'amender', itself from Latin 'emendare' — meaning 'to free from faults' or 'to correct'. The Latin word was built from 'e-' (out) and 'mendum' (fault, defect). Originally used for correcting mistakes or repairing physical objects, and later expanded to include healing and behaviour change.