Quick answer: Lend is a verb meaning to give something to someone temporarily, expecting it back: Could you lend me some money until Friday? Loan is primarily a noun for a sum of money or item borrowed: She repaid the loan in monthly instalments. Loan is also used as a verb in American English, meaning the same as lend, but British English strongly prefers "lend" as the verb. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘lend’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| lend | verb | to give something to someone temporarily, expecting it back | Can you lend me your umbrella? |
| loan | noun (also verb in AmE) | a sum of money or item borrowed, usually with terms for repayment | He took out a loan to buy a house. |
Using Lend
Lend is the standard verb for giving something temporarily, with the expectation it will be returned.
Could you lend me a pen for the exam?
The library will lend books for up to three weeks.
My neighbour lent us her ladder last weekend.
Banks lend money to businesses at different interest rates.
Using Loan
Loan is mainly a noun for the money or item that has been borrowed. In American English it is also common as a verb.
They applied for a loan to renovate the kitchen.
The museum has the painting on loan from a private collector.
She's still paying off her student loan.
The bank loaned the company two million dollars.
Memory Trick
Lend rhymes with "send" — both are actions (verbs) you do. Loan rhymes with "bone" — a thing (noun) you can hold, take out, or pay back. If you need an action word, choose lend; if you need a thing, choose loan.
Common Mistakes
✗ Can you loan me five pounds? (in formal British writing)
✓ Can you lend me five pounds?
American English accepts "loan" as a verb, but British English strongly prefers "lend" here.
✗ He applied for a lend to buy a car.
✓ He applied for a loan to buy a car.
Tips to Avoid Confusion
- If you need a verb (an action), use lend — especially in British English.
- If you need a noun (the borrowed money or item), use loan.
- American English allows "loan" as a verb too ("the bank loaned him money"), but "lend" is always safe in both dialects.
- Remember lend's irregular forms: lend, lent, lent.
For more on related grammar, see nominalisation. Also confusing: Afraid vs Frightened, Alone vs Lonely, Angry vs Furious. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Lend or Loan?
4 fill-in-the-blank questions — choose the correct word for each sentence.
1. “Could you ___ me ten pounds until tomorrow?”
2. “She's still paying off her student ___.”
3. “The library will ___ up to five books at a time.”
4. “They took out a ___ to buy their first flat.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between lend and loan?
Lend is a verb meaning to give something to someone temporarily, expecting it back: "Can you lend me your pen?" Loan is primarily a noun meaning a sum of money or item borrowed: "She took out a loan to buy a car." Loan is also used as a verb, especially in American English, meaning the same as lend.
Why are lend and loan so often confused?
Both relate to temporarily giving something with an expectation of return, and "loan" is increasingly used as a verb in everyday speech, so learners aren't always sure which word to use as the verb form.
Is 'loan' as a verb correct?
Yes, it's grammatically correct and common, especially in American English: "The bank loaned her $10,000." In British English, "lend" is strongly preferred as the verb, so "the bank lent her the money" sounds more natural to British speakers.
What is the past tense of lend?
Lend is irregular: lend, lent, lent. "I lent him twenty pounds last week." / "I have lent my car to a friend before."
What is the past tense of loan (as a verb)?
Loan is regular when used as a verb: loan, loaned, loaned. "The library loaned out three copies of the book."
Can loan be used as a noun in British English?
Yes — "loan" as a noun is standard in both British and American English: "He applied for a student loan." The difference is mainly about using "loan" as a verb, which British English speakers avoid in favour of "lend".
Is there a noun form of lend?
Not commonly — "lend" stays a verb. When you need a noun for the act of lending money, English typically uses "loan": "They took out a loan", not "they took out a lend".
What does 'lend a hand' mean?
"Lend a hand" is an idiom meaning to help someone: "Could you lend a hand with these boxes?" It uses "lend" figuratively — no object is literally given back.
Can you 'lend' something that isn't money?
Yes — lend works for any temporary transfer: books, tools, clothes, or even ideas ("lend credibility to an argument"). Loan, by contrast, is used mainly for money or items with formal borrowing arrangements (library loans, bank loans).
How can I remember lend vs loan?
Lend = verb, like "send" (both end in -end and describe an action). Loan = usually a noun, like "a loan" you "take out", similar to "a bone" you'd "take". If you need a verb, safest choice (especially in British English) is lend; if you need a noun for the money itself, use loan.