Meaning & use
bounds
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Meanings
nounplural
The limits beyond which something is not allowed or does not go.
Grammar: Used with plural verbs: the bounds are clear; common with within or beyond.
Patterns
- within the bounds of something
- beyond the bounds of something
His behavior went beyond the bounds of good manners.
Please keep your questions within the bounds of the topic.
Her generosity knows no bounds.
nounpluralmathematicstechnical
In mathematics, the largest and smallest values that a quantity can take.
Grammar: Often used as upper bound and lower bound.
Patterns
- the upper bounds of something
The study found upper and lower bounds for the number of cases.
The bounds of the function are 0 and 1.
verbintransitive
Third person singular of bound: moves forward in long, energetic jumps.
Grammar: No object: a dog bounds across the field.
Patterns
- bound across something
- bound into something
The puppy bounds up the stairs every morning.
She bounds into the office full of energy.
Word forms
| singular | bound |
|---|
Common combinations
- out of bounds
- The ball landed out of bounds.
- within bounds
- Keep your spending within bounds.
- know no bounds
- His kindness knows no bounds.
- leaps and bounds
- She improved by leaps and bounds.
- beyond the bounds of
- The question went beyond the bounds of the interview.
Synonyms and how they differ
- limits
- It is the everyday word, while bounds is slightly more formal and often used in set phrases.
- boundaries
- It often means lines between areas or personal limits, while bounds sounds more about what is permitted.
- confines
- It suggests an enclosed area or restriction, more closed than bounds.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: bounds or bonds?
bounds vs bonds
Bonds are ties or financial securities, while bounds are limits or leaps.
Practice
The principal said the field trip would stay ___ of the school's safety rules.
Choose one answer.
Within the bounds of means staying inside limits. Out of bounds would mean the trip breaks the rules, so it contradicts stay.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bounds”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.