fold

I. fold¹ W3 /fəʊld $ foʊld/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: verb: ↑fold, ↑unfold; noun: ↑fold, ↑folder; adjective: folded, ↑folding]
[Language: Old English; Origin: fealdan]
1. BEND [transitive] to bend a piece of paper, cloth etc by laying or pressing one part over another:
Fold the paper along the dotted line.
It’ll fit in if you fold it in half.
fold something over/under/down etc
Spoon the filling onto the dough, fold it over, and press down the edges.
2. SMALLER/NEATER [transitive] (also fold up) to fold something several times so that it makes a small neat shape ⇨ unfold:
I wish you kids would fold up your clothes!
He folded the map neatly.
3. FURNITURE ETC [intransitive and transitive] if something such as a piece of furniture folds, or you fold it, you make it smaller or move it to a different position by bending it:
The chairs fold flat for storage.
fold (something) away/up/down etc
a useful little bed that folds away when you don’t need it
Can you fold the shutters back? ⇨ ↑folding
4. fold your arms to bend your arms so that they rest together against your body:
George stood silently with his arms folded.
5. BUSINESS [intransitive] (also fold up) if an organization folds, it closes because it does not have enough money to continue
6. COVER [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to cover something, especially by wrapping it in material or putting your hand over it
fold something in something
a silver dagger folded in a piece of white cloth
7. fold somebody in your arms literary to hold someone closely by putting your arms around them
fold something ↔ in (also fold something into something) phrasal verb
to gently mix another substance into a mixture when you are preparing food:
Next, fold in the sugar.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fold

fold [fold folds folded folding] verb, noun [fəʊld] [foʊld]

verb
1. transitive to bend sth, especially paper or cloth, so that one part lies on top of another part
• ~ sth (up) He folded the map up and put it in his pocket.
• First, fold the paper in half/in two.
• ~ sth (back, down, over, etc.) The blankets had been folded down.
• a pile of neatly folded clothes
• The bird folded its wings.
Opp: unfold

see also fold-up

2. transitive, intransitive to bend sth so that it becomes smaller or flatter and can be stored or carried more easily; to bend or be able to bend in this way
• ~ sth (away/down/up) The bed can be folded away during the day.
• ~ (away/up) The table folds up when not in use.
• (figurative) When she heard the news, her legs just folded under her (= she fell).

• + adj. The ironing board folds flat for easy storage.

3. transitive to wrap sth around sb/sth
• ~ A in B She gently folded the baby in a blanket.

• ~ B round/over A She folded a blanket around the baby.

4. intransitive (of a company, a play, etc.) to close because it is not successful
• The new musical folded after only twenty performances.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
v. and n. senses 1 to 2 n. senses 5 to 6 Old English falden fealden Germanic Dutch vouwen German falten
n. senses 3 to 4 Old English fald Germanic Dutch vaalt

Example Bank:
• He carefully folded the typed sheets and replaced them in the envelope.
• Her hands lay gently folded in her lap.
• I folded up the clothes and put them away.
• She folded the clothes into a neat bundle.
• She folded the piece of paper in half.
• First, fold the paper in half.
• He walked in carrying a pile of neatly folded clothes.
• Her fan club has folded.
• His business folded and his wife left him.
• The musical folded after 16 performances.
• When she heard the news, her legs just folded under her.
Idioms: above the fold ▪ fold somebody in your arms ▪ fold your arms ▪ fold your hands

Derived: fold something in ▪ fold something into something

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

fold / fəʊld / / foʊld / verb (BEND)

B1 [ I or T ] to bend something, especially paper or cloth, so that one part of it lies on the other part, or to be able to be bent in this way:

I folded the letter (in half) and put it in an envelope.

He had a neatly folded handkerchief in his jacket pocket.

Will you help me to fold ( up ) the sheets?

The table folds up when not in use.

[ T ] to wrap:

She folded her baby in a blanket.

He folded his arms around her.

fold your arms to bring your arms close to your chest and hold them together

See picture body positions 2

[ T ] to move a part of your body into a position where it is close to your body:

She sat with her legs folded under her.

fold / fəʊld / / foʊld / verb [ I ] (FAIL)

(of a business) to close because of failure:

Many small businesses fold within the first year.

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fold

[fo͟ʊld]
♦♦♦
folds, folding, folded
1) VERB If you fold something such as a piece of paper or cloth, you bend it so that one part covers another part, often pressing the edge so that it stays in place.
  [V n] He folded the paper carefully...
  [V n prep/adv] Fold the omelette in half...
  [V n prep/adv] Fold the blanket back.
  [V-ed] ...a folded towel.
2) N-COUNT A fold in a piece of paper or cloth is a bend that you make in it when you put one part of it over another part and press the edge.
  Make another fold and turn the ends together.
  Syn:
  crease
3) N-COUNT: usu pl The folds in a piece of cloth are the curved shapes which are formed when it is not hanging or lying flat.
  The priest fumbled in the folds of his gown.
4) V-ERG If a piece of furniture or equipment folds or if you can fold it, you can make it smaller by bending or closing parts of it.
  [V adv/prep] The back of the bench folds forward to make a table...
  [V adj] This portable seat folds flat for easy storage...
  [V n] Check if you can fold the buggy without having to remove the raincover.
  [V-ing] ...a folding beach chair. [Also V n adj]
PHR-V-ERG
Fold up means the same as fold. V P When not in use it folds up out of the way... V n P Fold the ironing board up so that it is flat.
5) VERB If you fold your arms or hands, you bring them together and cross or link them, for example over your chest.
  [V n] Meer folded his arms over his chest and turned his head away...
  [V n] Mrs Ringrose sat down and folded her hands in her lap.
6) VERB If a business or organization folds, it is unsuccessful and has to close. [mainly BRIT]
  But as other shops fold, the march of the superstores continues...
  2,500 small businesses were folding each week.
7) N-SING: the/poss N, usu the supp N When someone joins an organization or group, you can say that they have come into the fold. When they leave the organization or group, you can say that they leave the fold.
  The EC brought Spain, Greece and Portugal into the fold...
  He might find it difficult to return to the family fold even when he realizes his mistake.
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - fold in
  - fold into
  - fold up

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

¹fold /ˈfoʊld/ verb folds; fold·ed; fold·ing
1 : to bend one part of (something) over or against another part

[+ obj]

• He folded the paper in half and then unfolded it again.
• Fold the flaps open/shut.
• He folded the blanket and laid it at the foot of the bed.
• She folded over the edge of the fabric to make a hem.
• a piece of paper folded into the shape of a bird

[no obj]

• The paper folded easily.
• The map folds neatly/flat so you can fit it in a pocket.
2 : to reduce the length or size of something (such as a piece of furniture) by moving parts of it so that they lie close together

[+ obj]

• We folded (up) the lawn chair and put it in the trunk.

[no obj]

• The lawn chair folded (up) easily.
• The bed folds (away) into a space in the wall.
3 [+ obj]
a : to put your arm or hand over your other arm or hand in a way that keeps them together
• She folded [=crossed] her arms across her chest.
• She folded her hands on her lap.
• He folded his arms around her.
• hands folded in prayer
b : to bend (a leg, a knee, an elbow, etc.)
• He sat with his legs folded under him.
4 [+ obj] literary : to put your arms around (someone) : embrace
• She folded him in her arms.
5 [+ obj] : to add (a food ingredient) to a mixture by gently and repeatedly lifting one part over another
• Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture.
6 [no obj] : to fail completely : collapse
• The business folded.
7 [no obj] : to accept defeat in a card game (such as poker) by removing your cards from the game
• Realizing that she probably wasn't bluffing, he decided to fold.