bond

A strong feeling of love, friendship, or shared experience that connects people.

• They share a strong bond.
• The trip strengthened the bond between us.
• Family bonds can last a lifetime.

How to use it: a bond between A and B (There is a close bond between the sisters.); a bond with someone (She has a strong bond with her grandfather.)

Similar words: tie, connection, link

Common phrases: strong bond, family bond, bond between people

An investment in which you lend money to a government or company that promises to pay you back.

• She bought a government bond.
• These bonds pay interest twice a year.
• The company issued bonds to raise money for a new factory.

Common phrases: government bond, buy a bond, corporate bond

A connection that holds two materials or objects together.

• The glue creates a strong bond.
• Heat weakened the bond between the layers.
• We tested each bond before using the panels.

How to use it: a bond between A and B (The glue forms a bond between the wood and metal.)

Similar words: join, connection

Common phrases: strong bond, adhesive bond, bond between materials

A force that holds two atoms together.

• The molecule contains a strong bond.
• Energy is needed to break chemical bonds.
• The diagram shows a double bond between two carbon atoms.

How to use it: a bond between atoms (A chemical bond forms between the two atoms.)

Common phrases: chemical bond, covalent bond, hydrogen bond

Things that hold someone back or prevent them from being free, including ropes, duties, or feelings.

• The prisoner struggled against his bonds.
• She finally broke free of the bonds of guilt.
• They loosened his bonds so he could move his hands.

How to use it: the bonds of something (She longed to escape the bonds of duty.)

Similar words: restraints, ties, fetters

Common phrases: bond of duty, bond of guilt, break a bond

An agreement that legally requires someone to do what they have promised.

• The signed bond required him to repay the debt.
• Both parties agreed to the terms of the bond.
• She argued that the bond no longer bound her.

Similar words: contract, agreement

Common phrases: legal bond, binding bond, bond of agreement

To develop a close relationship with someone through time or shared experiences.

• The children bonded quickly.
• He bonded with his grandfather during the summer.
• We bonded over a shared interest in music.

How to use it: bond with someone (The baby is bonding with her father.); bond over something (We bonded over our love of cooking.)

Similar words: become close, connect

Common phrases: bond with someone, bond over something, bond as a team

To join things firmly together, often using glue or heat.

• This glue will bond the pieces together.
• The plastic bonded firmly to the metal.
• Heat is used to bond the two layers.

How to use it: bond A to B (The glue bonds the fabric to the wood.); bond to something (The coating bonds to the metal.)

Similar words: join, attach, stick

Common phrases: bond something together, bond to something, bond something onto something