rent
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.the money you pay regularly to live in a house or apartment that belongs to someone else.
n.a regular payment made by a tenant to a landlord for the use of property or land.
Simple“The rent for my apartment is due on the first day of every month.”
In context“Skyrocketing property values in the city centre have forced many small business owners to struggle with monthly rent increases.”
Synonymslease paymentrental - 02 C2 Proficiency
n.a large hole or rip in a piece of cloth or other material.
n.a large tear or opening in a garment or fabric; often used metaphorically for a division.
Simple“He noticed a small rent in the sleeve of his expensive jacket.”
In context“The sudden political scandal created a deep rent in the fabric of the party, leading to a permanent internal division.”
- 03 A2 Elementary
v.to pay money so that you can use something for a short time, like a car or a flat.
v.to pay for the temporary use of a property, vehicle, or piece of equipment owned by another party.
Simple“We decided to rent a car for our trip so we could see the countryside.”
In context“The production company chose to rent high-end camera equipment rather than purchasing it outright for the three-week shoot.”
PitfallI am renting my house to a nice family. I am renting out my house to a nice family.While 'rent' can mean both giving and receiving, using 'rent out' or 'let' makes it clear that you are the owner, not the tenant.
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to be available to use for a specific price.
v.to be leased or let for a specific sum of money; used intransitively.
Simple“Small apartments in this area usually rent for about one thousand dollars.”
In context“Commercial spaces in the new development are expected to rent for significantly more than the current market average.”
Synonyms - 05 C2 Proficiency
adj.torn or ripped into pieces.
adj.having been forcefully pulled apart or torn; the past participle of the verb 'rend'.
Simple“The sails were rent by the strong winds during the storm.”
In context“The silence of the valley was suddenly rent by a piercing cry that echoed off the canyon walls.”
rent vs borrow vs hire — Borrow is taking for free; rent is paying for long-term use; hire is paying for short-term use or labor.
From Middle English rent, rente, from Old French rente, from Early Medieval Latin rendita, from Late Latin rendere, from Latin reddere.
See rend.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.