regularly or frequently behave in a particular way or have a certain characteristic, be liable to do or have something, take care of or look after someone or something

tend to business, tend to one's knitting, tend toward

Formal and Informal Expressions of tend

In different contexts, you can replace 'tend' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'care for, attend to' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'look after, take care of' is a commonplace synonym.

tend: Explore its Definition & Usage

tend Definition

1regularly or frequently behave in a particular way or have a certain characteristic
2be liable to do or have something
3take care of or look after someone or something

Using tend: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "tend" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
She tends to be shy around strangers.
Example
The weather tends to be rainy in this area.
Example
Children tend to be more active than adults.
Example
He tends to forget things easily.

tend Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for tend

be inclined
be disposed
have a tendency
care for
attend to
watch over

Antonyms for tend

Phrases with tend

tend to business
to focus on one's work or responsibilities
Example
I can't go out tonight, I need to tend to business.
tend to one's knitting
to mind one's own business and not interfere in the affairs of others
Example
I wish he would tend to his own knitting and stop meddling in my affairs.
tend toward
to have a natural inclination or tendency towards something
Example
She tends toward being pessimistic about the future.

Origins of tend

from Old French 'tendre', meaning 'to stretch, hold forth'

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Summary: tend in Brief

The verb 'tend' [tend] describes a regular or frequent behavior or characteristic, as in 'She tends to be shy around strangers.' It can also mean being liable to do or have something, as in 'The weather tends to be rainy in this area.' Additionally, it can refer to taking care of or looking after someone or something, as in 'He tends to forget things easily.' Phrases like 'tend to business' and 'tend to one's knitting' denote focusing on one's work and minding one's own business, respectively.