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Bent Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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bent

[bษ›nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

posture

Not straight or level.

Synonyms

bowed, crooked, curved.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
bent

This is used to describe something that is not straight, often suggesting it has been deliberately or naturally changed from its original form.

  • The metal rod was bent during the storm.
  • She had a bent old bike frame in her garage.
crooked

Describes something not straight, often implying irregularity or dishonesty. It has a negative connotation when referring to a person's behavior.

  • The picture frame was hanging crooked on the wall.
  • The crooked banker was arrested for fraud.
curved

Used to describe smooth, rounded shapes, often referring to lines or objects that have a continuous bend.

  • The path curved gently around the lake.
  • He drew a curved line on the paper.
bowed

Typically used to describe something curved outward or arched, often referring to postures or shapes.

  • The tree was bowed from the weight of the snow.
  • He walked with a bowed head.

Examples of usage

  • He had a bent back from years of hard labor.
  • The tree was bent over from the strong wind.
Context #2 | Verb

flexible

To force something out of its natural, straight shape.

Synonyms

curve, flex, twist.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
bent

Used when something is not straight or is deformed. Can also refer to someone's strong inclination towards something.

  • The metal rod was bent out of shape.
  • He has a bent for figuring out complex puzzles.
flex

Mainly used when an object bends due to pressure or force, such as muscles or materials. Can also mean showing off one's strength or abilities.

  • She can flex her muscles easily.
  • The plastic sheet will flex when pressure is applied.
curve

Refers to a smoothly bending line without sharp angles. Commonly used in geometry, road descriptions, and data graphs.

  • The road ahead has a sharp curve.
  • The curve of the river was beautiful.
twist

Implies a turn or rotation that changes the shape or direction of something. Can also be used to describe complicating or distorting facts, often in a negative sense.

  • He twisted the knob to open the door.
  • The plot of the movie had an unexpected twist.
  • Don't twist my words; that's not what I meant.

Examples of usage

  • She bent the wire into a circle.
  • He bent down to pick up the coin.
Context #3 | Noun

condition

A natural talent or inclination.

Synonyms

aptitude, inclination, propensity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
bent

Used to describe a natural talent or skill that someone has. Often implies a strong interest or predisposition towards something.

  • She has a bent for mathematics and often wins competitions.
  • His bent for creative writing became evident at an early age.
inclination

Describes a person's natural tendency or preference for something. Often used when talking about personal choices or tendencies.

  • Despite his inclination to stay in, he decided to go out.
  • She has an inclination towards helping others.
aptitude

Used in contexts where the focus is on the ability to learn or understand quickly, typically in a specific area. It is often employed in educational or skill assessment settings.

  • Her aptitude for science earned her a scholarship.
  • He took an aptitude test to determine his strengths.
propensity

Typically used to describe a strong, natural tendency to behave in a certain way, often in a habitual or negative context.

  • He has a propensity to procrastinate, which affects his productivity.
  • Their propensity for arguing often creates tension.

Examples of usage

  • He has a bent for music.
  • She showed a bent towards science from a young age.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In Shakespeareโ€™s works, 'bent' often describes a character's intentions, suggesting a strong focus or fixation.
  • The concept of 'bent' appears in classical poetry to symbolize conflicts between natural form and forced change.
  • Various authors use 'bent' to describe moral or ethical deterioration, such as a 'bent' mind or heart.

Psychology

  • 'Bent' can refer to cognitive biases where people see situations in a skewed way due to prior beliefs.
  • In personality assessments, a 'bent' perspective might indicate a person's tendencies or inclinations towards certain behaviors.
  • Understanding someoneโ€™s 'bent' can help in counseling by revealing underlying motivations and feelings.

Art

  • In sculpture, 'bent' forms can emphasize movement and emotional expression by altering traditional lines.
  • Abstract artists often use 'bent' shapes to challenge perceptions of reality, inviting viewers to consider different angles.
  • In photography, 'bent' perspectives can create dynamic compositions, drawing attention to unique angles and distortions.

Science

  • 'Bent' can describe physical phenomena in optics, such as the bending of light through a prism, creating rainbows.
  • In biology, plants may exhibit 'bent' growth patterns when seeking light, demonstrating adaptability to their environment.
  • The concept of bent molecules is crucial in chemistry; their shapes influence how they interact in reactions.

Origin of 'bent'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'bent' comes from the Old English word 'bendan,' meaning to bind or twist.
  • In its early uses, 'bent' described anything that was crooked or curved.
  • The term also evolved to express not only physical shapes but also personal characteristics, like being stubborn.

The word 'bent' has Old English origins, coming from the past participle of 'bลซgan', meaning 'to bend'. Over time, the word has evolved to encompass various meanings related to flexibility, posture, and inclination.

See also: bend, bendable, bending, bendingly, unbend, unbending, unbendingly.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,708, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.