bent
- 01 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.
Simple“The bicycle wheel was bent after he hit the big rock.”
In context“The old iron gate was so badly bent that it could no longer be latched securely against the stone post.”
- 02 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'.
Simple“She was bent on winning the race, no matter how tired she felt.”
In context“Despite the warnings from his legal team, the CEO seemed bent on pursuing the merger at any cost.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
adj.dishonest or involved in criminal activity.
adj.engaging in corrupt or criminal practices; specifically used in British contexts regarding officials or police.
Simple“The movie is about a bent copper who steals money from crime scenes.”
In context“The investigation revealed a network of bent officials who had been accepting bribes for years to overlook safety violations.”
Teacher's tipIn British slang, 'copper' means police officer; a 'bent copper' is a common phrase for a corrupt one.
- 04 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“From a young age, she showed a strong artistic bent.”
In context“His academic bent led him toward theoretical physics rather than the more practical applications of engineering.”
UsageOften follows an adjective like 'artistic', 'academic', or 'mechanical'.
SynonymsAntonyms
“Palmer, who had earlier sidefooted over from close range, delivered when he took a João Pedro flick and bent a shot past Verbruggen.”