Fold
/foʊld/
Definitions
5 meaningsTo bend or double (something, especially paper or cloth) over on itself so that one part lies on another.
/foʊld/
To bend something over on itself.
She folded the towels and put them away.
💡 Simply: Think of when you're making a paper airplane or neatly putting away your clothes. You're *folding* something! Like, "I folded the laundry so it would fit in the drawer." or, "Can you please help me fold this map?"
👶 For kids: To bend something over, like when you bend paper to make a paper airplane.
More Examples
I need to fold the map before I put it in my pocket.
The origami artist skillfully folded the paper into a beautiful crane.
How It's Used
"She folded the letter neatly before putting it in the envelope."
"The origami artist skillfully folded the paper into a crane."
To embrace or enfold in one's arms.
/foʊld/
To wrap or envelop something.
The mother folded her baby close to her chest.
💡 Simply: Picture wrapping someone in a big, warm hug. That's similar to folding something in your arms. Like, "The mother folded her child in her arms when she was scared."
👶 For kids: To hug someone or something tightly.
More Examples
He folded the lost child into his arms, comforting him.
How It's Used
"The knight folded the defeated king in his arms."
A bend or crease made by folding something.
/foʊld/
A bend or crease in something.
The map had a prominent fold in the middle.
💡 Simply: Think of the line you make when you fold paper or fabric. That's the *fold*! Like, "There was a fold in the sheet where it had been folded in the closet." or, "Make sure there's a clean fold when you fold the napkins."
👶 For kids: A line you make when you bend something.
More Examples
The clothes were neatly arranged with each fold aligned.
Be careful to avoid tearing at the fold in the paper.
How It's Used
"The map had a prominent fold in the middle."
"Iron the fold in the fabric to make it neat."
An enclosure for sheep.
/foʊld/
A pen or enclosure for sheep.
The shepherd brought the sheep back to the fold at night.
💡 Simply: It can also mean a place or group of people you belong to, like a community or a church. Like, "The farmer brought the sheep back into the fold." or, "The church welcomed new members into their fold."
👶 For kids: A safe place for sheep.
More Examples
The church welcomed new members into the fold.
The herd of sheep huddled together in the fold for protection.
How It's Used
"The shepherd led the sheep back to the fold."
"The church is often referred to as the spiritual fold."
In games (e.g. poker), to give up one's hand.
/foʊld/
To give up a hand of cards in poker.
He decided to fold and save his chips.
💡 Simply: When you're playing cards, especially poker, and you don't think your hand is good enough to win, you might choose to *fold*. This means you give up your cards and don't bet any more money in that round. Like, "He had a bad hand, so he decided to fold."
👶 For kids: In a card game, to give up and not play that round.
More Examples
She was dealt a poor hand and quickly chose to fold.
After the flop, seeing the other players' bets, he knew he had to fold.
How It's Used
"He decided to fold and save his chips when he saw the other player's hand."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
fold in
To gently combine ingredients in cooking.
"Fold in the flour gently to keep the batter from becoming too thick."
fold up
To collapse or cease to function.
"The company was unable to compete and was forced to fold up."
From Old English *faldan, meaning 'to wrap, enclose'. Related to the Dutch word 'vouden' and German word 'falten'.
The word 'fold' has ancient roots and has been used in various forms of English literature, dating back to the Old English period, with similar meanings as today. The earliest uses indicate the core meaning related to bending or enclosing.
Memory tip
Imagine bending a piece of paper. That's a fold!
Word Origin
"to wrap, enclose"