fold

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To bend something flat and flexible so that one part covers another part.

   Grammar: Takes an object: fold the paper.

   Patterns

   • fold something
   • fold something in half
   • fold something into something
   • fold something over

   She folded the letter and put it in an envelope.

   Fold the dough in half, then press the edges together.

   He folded the map into a small square.

2. 2verbintransitive

   To be able to be bent in this way.

   Grammar: No object; often used with adverbs like 'flat' or 'easily'.

   Patterns

   • fold flat
   • fold easily
   • fold away

   This chair folds flat for easy storage.

   The table folds away when you don't need it.

   The screen folds shut like a book.

3. 3verbtransitive

   To bring your arms or hands close to your body, often crossing them.

   Grammar: Takes an object: fold your arms.

   Patterns

   • fold your arms
   • fold your hands

   She folded her arms and waited for an answer.

   He sat with his hands folded in his lap.

4. 4verbtransitivetechnical

   To mix one ingredient gently into another with a spoon, without stirring hard.

   Grammar: Takes an object: fold in the cream.

   Patterns

   • fold something in
   • fold something into something

   Fold the egg whites into the mixture very slowly.

   Gently fold in the flour until just combined.

5. 5verbintransitiveinformal

   In card games, to stop playing the current hand and give up the money you have bet.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by 'to' when naming another player.

   Patterns

   • fold to someone
   • fold early

   He looked at his cards and folded immediately.

   She folded to the big raise and saved her chips.

6. 6nouncountable

   A line or part where something has been bent over on itself.

   Grammar: Countable: a fold, two folds.

   Patterns

   • a fold in something
   • make a fold

   There was a deep fold in the fabric where it had been sitting.

   Make a fold along the dotted line.

Word forms

Common combinations

fold your arms

He folded his arms and leaned back in his chair.

fold in half

Fold the paper in half to make a card.

fold away

The bed folds away during the day.

fold flat

These boxes fold flat for shipping.

fold into

She folded the cream into the cake mixture.

Synonyms and how they differ

bend

Bend means to curve something without necessarily making one part lie on another; fold is more specific.

crease

Crease means to make a sharp line by pressing, often with an iron; fold is a general action.

double

Double can mean to fold something in two, but it is more formal and less common in everyday speech.

Opposites

Word family

folder noun

A container for holding loose papers, often made of folded card.

folding adjective

Describing something that can be folded, like a folding chair.

Commonly confused: fold or folds?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “fold”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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