# tend

/ˈtɛnd/ (US) · /tˈɛnd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to be likely to

verb · CEFR B1

to be likely to behave in a particular way or have a certain habit.

For teachers: to be likely to do something or to happen in a particular way; often used as a catenative verb followed by a 'to'-infinitive.

- I tend to wake up early on weekends even when I don't have to.
- Prices tend to fluctuate during the holiday season as demand for luxury goods reaches its annual peak.

Usage: Usually followed by 'to' and another verb.

### 2. to look after

verb · CEFR B2

to take care of someone or something, like a garden or a sick person.

For teachers: to care for or look after someone or something; transitive use requiring a direct object.

- He spent the whole afternoon tending his vegetable garden.
- The nurse remained by the bedside throughout the night to tend the patient's wounds and monitor her vital signs.

### 3. to lead toward

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to move or point in a certain direction or toward a result.

For teachers: to move, lean, or contribute toward a particular direction, result, or outcome.

- Recent developments tend toward a peaceful solution to the conflict.
- The evidence presented during the trial seemed to tend toward a verdict of innocence, though the jury remained undecided for days.

### 4. nautical management

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to manage a boat's position when the tide changes.

For teachers: to manage an anchored vessel during a tide change to prevent the cable from becoming fouled.

- The crew had to tend the ship carefully as the tide turned in the narrow bay.
- Failure to tend the vessel during the swing resulted in the anchor chain becoming entangled with the rudder assembly.

## Examples

- I tend to wake up early on weekends.
- Prices tend to rise during the holiday season because demand for gifts is so high.
- While individual results vary, studies show that people who exercise regularly tend to report higher levels of daily energy and improved sleep quality over time.

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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.