Word
bent
Phoneticsbent
US/ˈbɛnt/
UK/bˈɛnt/
Definitions
01curved or out of shape
A2 · Elementary
adj. not straight because it has been forced into a curve or a new shape.
adj. physically altered from a straight or original state into a curved or angular form.
“The bicycle wheel was bent after he hit the big rock.”
“The old iron gate was so badly bent that it could no longer be latched securely against the stone post.”
Antonyms
02determined to do something
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. very determined to do something, especially something that might be bad or harmful.
adj. strongly inclined or determined to pursue a specific course of action; often used with the preposition 'on'.
“She was bent on winning the race, no matter how tired she felt.”
“Despite the warnings from his legal team, the CEO seemed bent on pursuing the merger at any cost.”
Synonyms
03dishonest or corrupt
C1 · Advanced British English · Informal
adj. dishonest or involved in criminal activity.
adj. engaging in corrupt or criminal practices; specifically used in British contexts regarding officials or police.
“The movie is about a bent copper who steals money from crime scenes.”
“The investigation revealed a network of bent officials who had been accepting bribes for years to overlook safety violations.”
04a natural talent
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a natural skill or interest in a particular subject or activity.
n. a natural talent, aptitude, or inclination toward a specific activity or way of thinking.
Español:inclinación
“From a young age, she showed a strong artistic bent.”
“His academic bent led him toward theoretical physics rather than the more practical applications of engineering.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “bent” in context.
Verb
01. have a bent
“She has a natural bent for mathematics and solved the problem in seconds.”
verb + noun
02. show a bent
“From a young age, he began to show a bent for music and performance.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. academic bent
“The school is perfect for students with a strong academic bent.”
adj + noun
04. artistic bent
“Her artistic bent led her to pursue a career in graphic design.”
adj + noun
05. practical bent
“He has a practical bent and enjoys fixing things around the house.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. bent for languages
“His natural bent for languages helped him become fluent in four months.”
noun + prep
Preposition
07. of a scientific bent
“The lecture was designed specifically for people of a scientific bent.”
prep + noun
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'for' or 'toward', or as a singular noun with an adjective like 'artistic' or 'academic'.
Real-World Examples
“His low cross, bent behind Madrid’s back four, was perfect.” “Palmer, who had earlier sidefooted over from close range, delivered when he took a João Pedro flick and bent a shot past Verbruggen.” Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0