bound

Very likely or certain to happen or be true.

• It is bound to rain.
• Someone was bound to notice the mistake.
• Are we bound to lose if we play badly?

How to use it: be bound to do something (You are bound to enjoy the trip.)

Similar words: certain, sure

Common phrases: bound to happen, bound to fail, bound to succeed

Required to do something because of a rule, promise, or duty.

• You are bound by these rules.
• The company was legally bound to pay her.
• Are we bound to keep this information secret?

How to use it: be bound to do something (We are bound to protect your personal information.); be bound by something (Both parties are bound by the agreement.)

Similar words: obliged, obligated

Opposites: free

Common phrases: legally bound, bound by law, bound to comply

Travelling towards a particular place.

• We are bound for Paris.
• She boarded a ship bound for Canada.
• Is that bus bound for the airport?

How to use it: be bound for somewhere (This train is bound for Edinburgh.)

Similar words: headed, heading

Common phrases: bound for home, bound for London, home bound

Unable to leave a particular place or move beyond it.

• He remained bound to his bed.
• These vehicles are bound to rails.
• She felt bound to the house throughout her recovery.

How to use it: be bound to somewhere (Her illness left her bound to the house.)

Similar words: confined, restricted

Common phrases: bound to bed, bound to home, bound to rails

To move forward with large, lively jumps.

• The rabbit bounded away.
• She bounded up the stairs.
• Our puppy bounds toward us when we come home.

How to use it: bound across/into/up something (The dog bounded across the field.)

Similar words: leap, spring

Common phrases: bound across something, bound up something, bound into something

To form the edge or border of an area.

• A river bounds the property.
• Mountains bound the valley to the east.
• The park is bounded on three sides by roads.

How to use it: be bounded by something (The garden is bounded by a stream.)

Similar words: border, delimit

Common phrases: bound an area, bound a territory

To make an animal jump, especially a horse.

• He tried to bound the horse.
• The rider bounded his mare over the fence.
• Could she bound the horse over that ditch?

Common phrases: bound a horse, bound the mare

A large jump forward or upward.

• The dog crossed the ditch in one bound.
• She reached the gate in three quick bounds.
• With a mighty bound, the deer escaped.

Similar words: leap, jump

Common phrases: a single bound, one great bound, with a bound