Barrow vs. Borrow — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on July 10, 2024
Barrow refers to a cart or mound, while borrow means to take something temporarily.
Difference Between Barrow and Borrow
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Barrow is a noun that can refer to a cart or hand vehicle, often with two wheels, that is pushed by one person. Borrow, on the other hand, is a verb which means to take something with the intention of returning it.
In archaeology, a barrow is also referred to as a burial mound, a man-made hill where ancient people would bury their dead. Borrow is a concept not just restricted to physical items but can also mean to take ideas or styles from another source.
When someone talks about using a barrow in gardening, they are referring to a wheelbarrow which helps carry loads like soil or leaves. If someone mentions they would like to borrow a book, they wish to take it for a period and return it later.
A barrow can also be used to describe a castrated male pig. Whereas, borrow in finance refers to taking money from a lender with the agreement of paying it back later.
In geographical terms, a barrow might refer to a small hill or mound. To borrow can also mean to take words from another language and integrate them into one's own language.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Verb
Basic Definition
A cart or hand vehicle, often with two wheels
To take something with the intention of returning it
Secondary Uses
Burial mound, castrated male pig, small hill
Take ideas/styles, take money from a lender
Example Sentence
"I pushed the barrow filled with dirt."
"Can I borrow your pen for a moment?"
Etymology
Old English "bearwe" meaning basket, cart, or burial
Old English "borgian" meaning to lend, or to take
Compare with Definitions
Barrow
A castrated male pig.
The barrow won first prize at the county fair.
Borrow
To take something temporarily with an intention to return.
May I borrow your book for the week?
Barrow
A small hand vehicle with two wheels.
She used the barrow to carry bricks.
Borrow
To adopt (ideas, words, etc.) from a source.
She tends to borrow concepts from various philosophies.
Barrow
A handbarrow.
Borrow
To take into one language from another.
The word piano is a borrow from Italian.
Barrow
A wheelbarrow.
Borrow
In golf, to putt a ball on a curved line.
You'll need to borrow a bit to the left on this green.
Barrow
A large mound of earth or stones placed over a burial site.
Borrow
To obtain or receive (something) on loan with the promise or understanding of returning it or its equivalent.
Barrow
A pig that has been castrated before reaching sexual maturity.
Borrow
To adopt or use as one's own
I borrowed your good idea.
Barrow
(obsolete) A mountain.
Borrow
In subtraction, to take a unit from the next larger denomination in the minuend so as to make a number larger than the number to be subtracted.
Barrow
A hill.
Borrow
(Linguistics) To adopt (a word) from one language for use in another.
Barrow
A mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves.
Borrow
To borrow something.
Barrow
(mining) A heap of rubbish, attle, or other such refuse.
Borrow
(Linguistics) To adopt words from one language for use in another.
Barrow
(British) A small vehicle used to carry a load and pulled or pushed by hand.
Borrow
To receive (something) from somebody temporarily, expecting to return it.
Barrow
(saltworks) A wicker case in which salt is put to drain.
Borrow
To receive money from a bank or other lender under the agreement that the lender will be paid back over time.
Barrow
A castrated boar.
Borrow
To adopt (an idea) as one's own.
To borrow the style, manner, or opinions of another
Barrow
A long sleeveless flannel garment for infants.
Borrow
(linguistics) To adopt a word from another language.
Barrow
A support having handles, and with or without a wheel, on which heavy or bulky things can be transported by hand. See Handbarrow, and Wheelbarrow.
Borrow
(arithmetic) In a subtraction, to deduct (one) from a digit of the minuend and add ten to the following digit, in order that the subtraction of a larger digit in the subtrahend from the digit in the minuend to which ten is added gives a positive result.
Barrow
A wicker case, in which salt is put to drain.
Borrow
To lend.
Barrow
A hog, esp. a male hog castrated.
Borrow
(ditransitive) To temporarily obtain (something) for (someone).
Barrow
A large mound of earth or stones over the remains of the dead; a tumulus.
Borrow
To feign or counterfeit.
Barrow
A heap of rubbish, attle, etc.
Borrow
(obsolete except in ballads) To secure the release of (someone) from prison.
Barrow
The quantity that a barrow will hold
Borrow
(informal) To receive (something, usually of trifling value) from somebody, with little possibility of returning it.
Can I borrow a sheet of paper?
Barrow
(archeology) a heap of earth placed over prehistoric tombs
Borrow
(informal) To interrupt the current activity of (a person) and lead them away in order to speak with them, get their help, etc.
John, can I borrow you for a second? I need your help with the copier.
Barrow
A cart for carrying small loads; has handles and one or more wheels
Borrow
(golf) To adjust one's aim in order to compensate for the slope of the green.
Barrow
A burial mound or tumulus.
Ancient tribes built a barrow for their leader.
Borrow
Deviation of the path of a rolling ball from a straight line; slope; slant.
This putt has a big left-to right borrow on it.
Barrow
A small hill or mound.
They climbed the barrow to get a better view.
Borrow
A borrow pit.
Barrow
A type of stretcher or cart used for carrying the dead.
The funeral workers placed the body on the barrow.
Borrow
(programming) In the Rust programming language, the situation where the ownership of a value is temporarily transferred to another region of code.
Borrow
(archaic) A ransom; a pledge or guarantee.
Borrow
(archaic) A surety; someone standing bail.
Borrow
To receive from another as a loan, with the implied or expressed intention of returning the identical article or its equivalent in kind; - the opposite of lend.
Borrow
To take (one or more) from the next higher denomination in order to add it to the next lower; - a term of subtraction when the figure of the subtrahend is larger than the corresponding one of the minuend.
Borrow
To copy or imitate; to adopt; as, to borrow the style, manner, or opinions of another.
Rites borrowed from the ancients.
It is not hard for any man, who hath a Bible in his hands, to borrow good words and holy sayings in abundance; but to make them his own is a work of grace only from above.
Borrow
To feign or counterfeit.
The borrowed majesty of England.
Borrow
To receive; to take; to derive.
Any drop thou borrowedst from thy mother.
Borrow
Something deposited as security; a pledge; a surety; a hostage.
Ye may retain as borrows my two priests.
Borrow
The act of borrowing.
Of your royal presence I'll adventureThe borrow of a week.
Borrow
Get temporarily;
May I borrow your lawn mower?
Borrow
Take up and practice as one's own
Borrow
In finance, to receive money with the agreement to pay it back.
He decided to borrow $5,000 from the bank.
Common Curiosities
What is a barrow in terms of construction or gardening?
It's a cart or hand vehicle, often with two wheels, used for carrying materials.
What is a barrow in archaeology?
A barrow is a burial mound or tumulus.
What does it mean to borrow money?
It means to take money from a lender with the agreement to pay it back later.
How is a barrow used in funerals?
It can refer to a type of stretcher or cart used for carrying the dead.
Can animals be described using the word "barrow"?
Yes, a barrow refers to a castrated male pig.
Is borrow only related to tangible things?
No, one can also borrow concepts, ideas, or words from other sources.
How can I use borrow in a sentence?
"Can I borrow your notes from yesterday's lecture?"
Can "borrow" be used for non-physical items?
Yes, one can borrow ideas, styles, or words from another source.
What does it mean to borrow in golf?
It refers to putting a ball on a curved line, considering the slope.
Is barrow used frequently in modern English?
While its usage depends on the context, "barrow" is less common than "borrow".
What is the etymology of borrow?
It's from Old English "borgian" meaning to lend, or to take.
What is a geographical description of a barrow?
It can refer to a small hill or mound.
Is a barrow similar to a wheelbarrow?
Yes, a wheelbarrow is a type of barrow with one or two wheels used especially in gardening or construction.
Is borrowing permanent?
No, borrowing implies an intention to return or give back.
Can you name a place associated with the term "barrow"?
Yes, Barrow-in-Furness is a town in England.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
