Bent is a word with several different meanings. It can describe someone who is determinedshowing a strong decision to keep going and not give up to do something, something that is physically curvedshaped in a line that is not straight or damaged, a natural talent or liking for something, or a type of grasslandlarge open area covered mainly with grass or grass.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /bent/

Easy pronunciation: BENT (approximate spelling).

Stress: One syllable; stress is on the only syllable.

Pronounced here for the adjective meaning very determined to do something, as in 'bent on'.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Bent Meaning

very determined to do something

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: determined to do something; fixed in your purpose

Example: She was bent on finishing the project by Friday.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• bent on — Common in phrases like 'bent on doing something'.
• dead set — Works well when someone is strongly determined.
• out to — Used in phrases like 'out to prove a point'.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Bent

Meaning 2

not straight; curved or damaged

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: curved, folded, or damaged out of shape

Example: One of the nails was bent.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• crumpled — Fits only when something is bent because it has been crushed or twisted.
• dented — Works for damaged metal objects, but not for every use of bent.

Meaning 3

leaning forward with the back not straight

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: used of the back and knees; stooped

Example: He walked with a bent back.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• bended — An older or literary form, especially in fixed expressions.

Meaning 4

a natural tendency or skill

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a special way of doing something; a natural talent or liking

Example: She has a bent for math.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• hang — Used as 'a hang for something' in older or less common usage.
• knack — A natural ability to do something well.

Meaning 5

a natural tendency to think or act a certain way

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

Example: He has a philosophical bent.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• set — Can mean a settled tendency or attitude, but is less direct than 'bent' in this sense.

Meaning 6

a type of grass used on lawns and greens

Part of speech: noun

Definition: grass for pastures and lawns, especially bowling and putting greens

Example: The green was planted with bent grass.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• bent-grass — Another name for this kind of grass.
• bent grass — Common spelling of the grass name.

Meaning 7

open grassland without fences or hedges

Part of speech: noun

Definition: an area of grassland unbounded by fences or hedges

Example: They crossed the open bent.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Bent Synonyms

Similar Meaning

• bent on
• dead set
• out to

curved, folded, or damaged out of shape

• crumpled
• dented

used of the back and knees; stooped

• bended

a special way of doing something; a natural talent or liking

• hang
• knack

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

• set

grass for pastures and lawns, especially bowling and putting greens

• bent-grass
• bent grass

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

• Don't confuse bent meaning 'determined' with bent meaning 'curved or damaged'.
• Bent as a noun can mean a talent or tendency, but it does not usually mean a physical curve.
• The grass name bent is a different word sense from the adjective bent.
• Bended is old-fashioned or literary and is not a general substitute for every use of bent.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does bent mean in English?

Bent can mean determined, curved or damaged, stooped, or a natural talent or tendency, depending on the context.

What is the most common meaning of bent?

The most common everyday meaning is usually 'determined to do something,' as in 'bent on.'

What are the synonyms of bent?

For the 'determined' sense, good synonyms include 'bent on,' 'dead set,' and sometimes 'out to.' Other senses have different synonyms, such as 'knack' for a talent or 'crumpled' for something damaged.

Is bent an adjective or a noun?

Both. It is commonly an adjective, but it is also a noun in senses like 'a bent for music' or the grass name 'bent.'

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.