ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fold

v. · n.
US //ˈfoʊɫd// UK //fˈəʊld// fold
  1. 1 to bend material (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to bend something like paper or cloth so that one part covers another.

    to bend a flexible material over upon itself so that one part comes into contact with another.

    Example

    Please fold the towels neatly and put them in the cupboard.

    Example

    The origami artist carefully folded the delicate paper into the shape of a crane, ensuring every crease was perfectly aligned.
  2. 2 to close a business (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal business

    to close a business or organization because it is not successful anymore.

    to cease trading or operating, typically due to financial failure or insolvency.

    Example

    The small bookstore had to fold after the big shopping mall opened nearby.

    Example

    Despite several rounds of emergency funding, the startup was forced to fold when its primary investor withdrew support.
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  1. 3 to mix gently (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    to mix a light ingredient into a heavier one by turning it over gently with a spoon.

    to incorporate a delicate ingredient into a thicker mixture using a gentle over-and-under motion to avoid losing air.

    Example

    Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture.

    Example

    The recipe instructs you to fold the beaten egg whites into the batter slowly so the cake remains light and airy.
  2. 4 to give up (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to stop playing a hand of cards or to give up in an argument.

    to withdraw from a betting round in card games; by extension, to yield or quit under pressure.

    Example

    He decided to fold because his cards were not good enough to win.

    Example

    Under intense questioning from the committee, the witness finally began to fold and admitted he had been present at the meeting.
  3. 5 a crease (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a line or mark made by folding something.

    a line, crease, or hollow made by folding a flexible substance.

    Example

    She smoothed out the folds in her dress before going on stage.

    Example

    The heavy velvet curtains hung in deep, elegant folds that reached all the way to the polished wooden floor.
  4. 6 a group or community (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    a group of people who share the same beliefs or goals.

    a community of people with shared aims or faith, often used in a religious or metaphorical context.

    Example

    After years of traveling, he was happy to return to the family fold.

    Example

    The priest welcomed the new members into the fold during the Sunday morning service.
  5. 7 animal enclosure (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a small area with a fence used for keeping sheep.

    a pen or enclosure for domestic animals, particularly sheep.

    Example

    The farmer led the sheep back into the fold as the sun began to set.

    Example

    The stone fold provided the flock with essential protection against the harsh winds blowing across the moor.
Etymology 1

The verb is from Middle English folden, from Old English fealdan, from Proto-West Germanic falþan, from Proto-Germanic falþaną (“to fold”), from Proto-Indo-European *pel- (“to fold”). The noun is from Middle English folde, falde, itself derived from the verb.

Etymology 2

The noun is from Middle English fold, fald, from Old English fald, falæd, falod (“fold, stall, stable, cattle-pen”), from Proto-West Germanic falud, from Proto-Germanic faludaz (“enclosure”). Akin to Scots fald, fauld (“an enclosure for livestock”), Dutch vaalt (“dung heap”), Middle Low German valt, vālt (“an inclosed space, a yard”), Danish fold (“pen for herbivorous livestock”), Swedish fålla (“corral, pen, pound”). The verb is from Late Middle English fooldyn, itself derived from the noun.

Etymology 3

From Middle English folde, from Old English folde (“earth, land, country, district, region, territory, ground, soil, clay”), from Proto-Germanic fuldǭ, fuldō (“earth, ground; field; the world”). Cognate with Old Norse fold (“earth, land, field”), Norwegian and Icelandic fold (“land, earth, meadow”).

Word family
Idioms4 entries

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