bounded

IPA/baʊnd/
KK[bˈaʊndəd]IPA/baʊnd/

bounded — verb

  • boundedpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • boundeds3rd person singular
  • boundeding-ing form
  • boundededpast simple

1. to run or jump forward with long, springy steps that cover a lot of ground with

1.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to run or jump forward with long, springy steps that cover a lot of ground with each movement

Example

Theo bounded across the football field after scoring the winning goal.

bounded across [surface] — preposition of direction

Sana's puppy bounded through the tall grass, chasing a yellow butterfly.

Common collocations
  • bounded across
  • bounded over
  • bounded up
  • bounded down
  • bounded away
  • bounded into
Synonyms
  • leap

    jump a long way or high up; more about a single jump than continuous movement

  • spring

    jump suddenly with energy; often suggests surprise

  • hop

    jump on one foot or make small, light jumps

  • vault

    jump over something using your hands or a pole for support

Grammar Patterns

bounded + across/through/down/up/onto/away

Usage Note

Describes movement full of energy and excitement. Subject is usually a person or an animal. Almost always followed by a word showing direction (across, through, down, up, onto, away, into).

Common Mistakes

He bounded the stairs.
He bounded up the stairs.
the verb needs a direction word (up, down, across) after it.

2. to encircle a piece of land or an area and create the line where it ends — for e

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to encircle a piece of land or an area and create the line where it ends — for example, when a wall or river marks the outer edge of a field

Example

A thick stone wall bounded the garden on all four sides.

bounded [area] on [sides] — marking all edges

The field is bounded by a stream to the west and a row of oak trees to the east.

passive: be bounded by [feature]

Common collocations
  • bounded by
  • bounded on
  • bounded to the north/south/east/west
Synonyms
  • border

    be next to and touching; less formal and more common

  • edge

    form a line along the side of something; suggests a thinner boundary

  • skirt

    go around the outside edge; often used for roads and paths

  • fringe

    form a border along the outer part, often used for plants or hair

Grammar Patterns

bounded + [area]

be bounded by + [feature]

Usage Note

Frequently used in the passive voice ('is bounded by'). Subject is usually a physical feature such as a wall, river, forest, or cliff.

3. the form of 'bind' that shows past time, covering both the simple-past form and

3.verbtransitive
Definition

the form of 'bind' that shows past time, covering both the simple-past form and the past-participle form — used when something was tied up or when someone was placed under a duty

Example

Kevin bounded the stack of newspapers tightly with string, then carried the bundle outside.

bounded [objects] with [material] — for tying things together

After cleaning the deep cut, the nurse bounded Kai's forearm with clean white bandages.

bounded [body part] with [material]

Grammar Patterns

bounded + [object]

have/has bounded + [object]

Usage Note

Distinguish from verb sense 1 (to leap). In modern standard English, the usual past tense of 'bind' is 'bound'; 'bounded' as the past of 'bind' is found in some regional and older usage.

Common Mistakes

I bounded the book at the shop.' (standard modern English).
I had the book bound at the shop.
'bound' is the more common past participle of 'bind' today.

bounded — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Bounded, limited, finite, restricted, and circumscribed all describe things that do not go on forever. Bounded is the most visual — it suggests a physical container or edge, like a walled garden or a coastline. Limited focuses on amount or number rather than physical space: your time is limited, but a field is bounded. Finite is the direct opposite of infinite and is common in science and philosophy. Restricted implies that rules or barriers keep something within limits — a restricted area has signs or guards enforcing the boundary. Circumscribed is the most formal and suggests a precise line drawn tightly around something. For example, you might say 'The river bounded the village' (physical edge), 'Her patience was limited' (amount), or 'Access to the files is restricted' (rules).

limited ↗finite ↗restricted ↗circumscribed ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • bounded area
  • bounded region
  • bounded space

Adverbs

  • tightly bounded
  • sharply bounded
  • clearly bounded

Prepositions

  • bounded by
  • bounded on

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Bounded comes from the noun 'bound' (meaning a limit or edge), which entered English through Old French 'bonde' (boundary marker). The verb sense meaning 'to leap' follows a separate path: from Old French 'bondir' (to leap, to resound), originally from Latin 'bombitire' (to hum or buzz). Over time the two streams merged under one spelling. The adjective 'bounded' developed from adding -ed to the noun 'bound' to mean 'having limits.'

First known use

1956

1956, in the meaning defined above