What is bound? Pronunciation and usage in English

bound means . Learn how to pronounce and use bound through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of bound

boundverb

/baʊnd/
Definition & pronunciation of bound

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "bound." It can be a tricky one for learners! Here’s a breakdown, with a few variations:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (and what most people think of):

  • ˈbaʊnd (rhymes with “found”)
    • ˈbaʊ – The first syllable is pronounced like "bow" (as in "bow tie"). The stress is on this first syllable.
    • nd – The "nd" is pronounced as a single sound, like "n" followed immediately by "d".

2. A Slightly More Formal/Traditional Pronunciation:

  • baʊnd (rhymes with “sound”)
    • This is closer to the older, more traditionally-taught pronunciation. It’s still perfectly correct, but you’ll hear it less frequently now.

Here’s a handy breakdown of the sounds:

  • "b": A regular "b" sound (like in "ball")
  • "ou": The "ou" sound is a little tricky. It’s not like the "ou" in "out.” It’s closer to the "ow" sound in “cow.” Think of it as a short, rounded "o" sound.
  • "nd": As mentioned above, “n” followed right after “d”.

Resources to Listen:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you hearing/using the word? (e.g., in a sentence, a book, a conversation?)

Usage and examples with the word bound in English

Let's break down how to use the word "bound" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings and usages! Here's a detailed look, categorized for clarity:

1. Bound (As a Verb - Meaning "To Be Obliged"):

  • Core Meaning: This is the most common usage. It means to be compelled or obligated to do something, often by a rule, agreement, or promise.

    • Example: “I’m bound to tell the truth.” (I’m obligated to tell the truth.)
    • Example: “She was bound by contract to deliver the goods by Friday.” (She was obligated by the contract.)
    • Example: "He was bound to lose the race; he hadn’t trained." (He was destined to lose, obligated by his lack of preparation.)

  • Phrases:

    • Bound to: “He’s bound to succeed if he works hard.” (He’s destined to succeed, likely due to his efforts.)
    • Bound by: "The company is bound by ethical guidelines." (The company is obligated by these guidelines.)

2. Bound (As an Adjective - Meaning "Fixed or Restricted"):

  • Core Meaning: Describes something that’s fixed in position, direction, or movement; restricted.

    • Example: “The book was bound in leather.” (The book was fastened with leather.)
    • Example: “The prisoner was bound to the chair.” (The prisoner was tied to the chair.)
    • Example: "The ship was bound for London." (The ship’s destination was London.)

  • Related Adjective: “Boundless” – implying unlimited or without limits.

3. Bound (As a Verb - Meaning “To Approach Quickly” – Often with “Up”):

  • Common Usage: This describes a sudden and rapid approach, often involving animals. It's frequently used to describe animals moving swiftly.

    • Example: “The dog was bound towards the ball.” (The dog quickly ran towards the ball.)
    • Example: “The deer bound across the field.” (The deer quickly jumped across the field.)
    • Example: “The falcon bound upwards.” (The falcon rapidly ascended.)

  • Note: Often used with “up” – “bound up”

4. Bound (As Part of a Compound Word - "Boundaries"):

  • Boundaries: This is a fixed limit or extent.
    • Example: “The city limits are clearly bound by these roads.”

5. Bound (In Physics - "Bound"):

  • Physics: In physics, "bound" refers to a state where an object is held in place by forces (like gravity or electrostatic forces). This is a more technical usage.

Tips for Understanding and Using "Bound":

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "bound" always depends on the context of the sentence.
  • Pay attention to the surrounding words: Words like “to,” “by,” “towards,” and “in” will often give you clues about the intended meaning.

Resources for Further Exploration:

Can you give me an example sentence you’d like me to analyze, or are you interested in a specific aspect of how to use "bound"?

Synonyms for the word bound

Idioms of the word bound

be bound together by/in something
to be closely connected
  • communities bound together by customs and traditions
be bound up in something
very busy with something; very interested or involved in something
  • He's too bound up in his work to have much time for his children.
bound and determined
(North American English)very determined to do something
  • I came here bound and determined to put the last 12 months behind me.
bound up with something
closely connected with something
  • From that moment my life became inextricably bound up with hers.
(feel) honour-bound to do something
(formal)to feel that you must do something because of your sense of moral duty
  • She felt honour-bound to attend as she had promised to.
  • He felt honour bound to help her.
I’ll be bound
(old-fashioned, British English, informal)I feel sure
  • They’re up to some mischief, I’ll be bound!

Practice with vocabulary bound

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project is _____ to succeed because of the team’s dedication and hard work.
  2. She felt _____ to the traditions of her family, even though she wanted to explore new ideas.
  3. The company’s growth is _____ by its ability to adapt to market changes.
  4. He was _____ to the idea of starting his own business, despite the risks involved.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The agreement is legally _____, so both parties must fulfill their obligations.
    a) bound b) tied c) restricted d) obligated
  2. The train is _____ to arrive late due to the weather conditions.
    a) likely b) bound c) certain d) expected
  3. She felt _____ to help her friend, even though it was inconvenient.
    a) obligated b) bound c) required d) advised
  4. The results of the experiment were _____ by the lack of resources.
    a) limited b) bound c) confined d) restricted
  5. The book was _____ to become a bestseller because of its unique storyline.
    a) destined b) bound c) likely d) expected

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: She was certain to win the competition because of her preparation.
    Rewrite: She was bound to win the competition because of her preparation.
  2. Original: The contract obligates both parties to follow the terms.
    Rewrite: The contract binds both parties to follow the terms.
  3. Original: The decision was tied to the company’s financial situation.
    Rewrite: The decision was linked to the company’s financial situation.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. bound
  2. bound
  3. limited
  4. committed

Exercise 2:

  1. a) bound / d) obligated
  2. b) bound
  3. a) obligated / b) bound
  4. a) limited / d) restricted
  5. b) bound

Exercise 3:

  1. She was bound to win the competition because of her preparation.
  2. The contract binds both parties to follow the terms.
  3. The decision was linked to the company’s financial situation.

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