Definition of 'born'

Word Frequency

born

(bɔːʳn )

1. passive verb

When a baby is born, it comes out of its mother's body at the beginning of its life. In formal English, if you say that someone is born of someone or to someone, you mean that person is their parent.

My mother was 40 when I was born. [be VERB-ed]

She was born in London on April 29, 1923. [be VERB-ed]

He was born of German parents and lived most of his life abroad. [be V-ed + of/to]

Willie Smith was the second son born to Jean and Stephen. [V-ed + of/to]

Synonyms: brought into this world, delivered More Synonyms of born

2. passive verb [no cont]

If someone is born with a particular disease, problem, or characteristic, they have it from the time they are born.

He was born with only one lung. [be VERB-ed + with]

Some people are born brainy. [be VERB-ed adjective]

I think he was born to be editor of a tabloid newspaper. [be VERB-ed to-infinitive]

We are all born leaders; we just need the right circumstances in which to flourish. [be VERB-ed noun]

3. passive verb [no cont]

You can use be born in front of a particular name to show that a person was given this name at birth, although they may be better known by another name.

[formal]

She was born Jenny Harvey on June 11, 1946. [be VERB-ed noun]

4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

You use born to describe someone who has a natural ability to do a particular activity or job. For example, if you are a born cook, you have a natural ability to cook well.

Jack was a born teacher.

5. passive verb

When an idea or organization is born, it comes into existence. If something is born of a particular emotion or activity, it exists as a result of that emotion or activity.

[formal]

The idea for the show was born in his hospital room. [be VERB-ed]

Congress passed the National Security Act, and the CIA was born. [be VERB-ed]

Energy conservation as a philosophy was born out of the 1973 oil crisis. [be V-ed + out of/of]

6. See also -born, first born, newborn

7. to be born and bred

8. to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth

Word Frequency

born in British

(bɔːn )

verb

1. the past participle (in most passive uses) of bear (sense 4)

2. was not born yesterday

adjective

possessing or appearing to have possessed certain qualities from birth

a born musician

being at birth in a particular social status or other condition as specified

ignobly born

(in combination)

lowborn

5. in all one's born days

▶ USAGE Care should be taken not to use born where borne is intended: he had borne (not born) his ordeal with great courage; the following points should be borne in mind

Word Frequency

Born in British

(bɔːn )

noun

Max. 1882–1970, British nuclear physicist, born in Germany, noted for his fundamental contribution to quantum mechanics: Nobel prize for physics 1954

Word Frequency

Born in American

(bɔrn ; bôrn)

Max1882-1970; Ger. nuclear physicist, in England (1933-53)

Word Frequency

born in American

(bɔrn ; bôrn)

verb transitive, verb intransitive

1. alt. pp. of

bear1

adjective

brought into life or being

by birth

used in hyphenated compounds

French-born

having certain qualities or abilities innately, as if from birth; natural

a born athlete

being as specified from birth

nobly born

6. Informal, Dialectal

since birth

in all my born days

Example sentences containing 'born'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Even if you could act humble enough to convince anybody you weren't a princess born and bred. Jennifer Fallon TREASON KEEP (2001)Sleep's good, death's better, but best of all is never to be born at all. Anthony Masters CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2001)