Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

fold

/foʊld/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.08 in modern English

Syllables
fold
IPA
/foʊld/
8
Scrabble Score
4
Letters
1
Syllables
4
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To bend (any thin material, such as paper) over so that it comes in contact with itself.

Transitive verb

verb

To make the proper arrangement (in a thin material) by bending.

Transitive verb

verb

To draw or coil (one’s arms, a snake’s body, etc.) around something so as to enclose or embrace it.

Transitive verb

verb

To stir (semisolid ingredients) gently, with an action as if folding over a solid.

Transitive verb

verb

To become folded; to form folds.

Intransitive verb

verb

To fall over; to collapse or give way; to be crushed.

Informal; Intransitive verb

verb

To give way on a point or in an argument.

Intransitive verb; Transitive verb

verb

To withdraw from betting.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

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”). Cognate with Dutch vouwen, German falten. The noun is from Middle English folde, falde, itself derived from the verb.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /foʊld/
  • British English: /ˈfəʊld/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Synonyms

Homonyms

Antonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce fold?
The recorded pronunciation is /foʊld/.
What does fold mean?
To bend (any thin material, such as paper) over so that it comes in contact with itself.
Where does fold come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce fold

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “fold”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/foʊld/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “fold”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “fold” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.