# fold

/ˈfoʊɫd/ (US) · /fˈəʊld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fold
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to bend material

verb · CEFR A2

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

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

- Please fold the towels neatly and put them in the cupboard.
- The origami artist carefully folded the delicate paper into the shape of a crane, ensuring every crease was perfectly aligned.

### 2. to close a business

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

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

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

- The small bookstore had to fold after the big shopping mall opened nearby.
- Despite several rounds of emergency funding, the startup was forced to fold when its primary investor withdrew support.

### 3. to mix gently

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture.
- The recipe instructs you to fold the beaten egg whites into the batter slowly so the cake remains light and airy.

### 4. to give up

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

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

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

- He decided to fold because his cards were not good enough to win.
- Under intense questioning from the committee, the witness finally began to fold and admitted he had been present at the meeting.

### 5. a crease

noun · CEFR B1

a line or mark made by folding something.

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

- She smoothed out the folds in her dress before going on stage.
- The heavy velvet curtains hung in deep, elegant folds that reached all the way to the polished wooden floor.

### 6. a group or community

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

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

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

- After years of traveling, he was happy to return to the family fold.
- The priest welcomed the new members into the fold during the Sunday morning service.

### 7. animal enclosure

noun · CEFR B2

a small area with a fence used for keeping sheep.

For teachers: a pen or enclosure for domestic animals, particularly sheep.

- The farmer led the sheep back into the fold as the sun began to set.
- The stone fold provided the flock with essential protection against the harsh winds blowing across the moor.

## Examples

- Make a sharp fold in the middle of the paper.
- The chef showed the students how to create a perfect fold in the pastry to keep the butter inside.
- Geologists study the dramatic fold in the rock layers to understand the immense tectonic pressure that shaped the mountain range millions of years ago.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.