adjective

bent

behnt

adjective

Curved, folded, or twisted out of its original straight shape.

"The bike's front wheel was badly bent after the crash."

Corrupt or dishonest, especially describing an official.

"The film centers on a bent cop who takes bribes from local gangs."

Strongly determined to do something.

"She seemed bent on proving everyone wrong."

"He was bent on finishing the marathon no matter how tired he got."

noun

A natural inclination, skill, or tendency.

"He always had a bent for fixing things with his hands."

How to Use Bent

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPhysically curved or twisted, or, figuratively, someone who is corrupt or firmly set on doing something.

When to use it

"Bent" meaning corrupt is chiefly British informal usage, especially for dishonest police officers or officials.

Common pairings

bent on revenge bent cop a natural bent for something

benter comparative, more bent comparative, bents plural, bents plural, Bents plural, bentest superlative, most bent superlative

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The bike's front wheel was badly _____ after the crash.

From the past-tense and past-participle forms of Middle English benden, "to bend."

predilection proclivity propensity

tendency faculty liking propensity

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predilection proclivity propensity tendency faculty liking