All Definitions for Fold
Below are all the dictionary definitions of fold:
1To bend (any thin material, such as paper) over so that it comes in contact with itself.
2To make the proper arrangement (in a thin material) by bending.
3To draw or coil (one’s arms, a snake’s body, etc.) around something so as to enclose or embrace it.
4To stir (semisolid ingredients) gently, with an action as if folding over a solid.
5To become folded
6To form folds.
7To fall over
8To collapse or give way
9To be crushed.
10To give way on a point or in an argument.
11To withdraw from betting.
12To withdraw or quit in general.
13To fail, to collapse, to disband.
14Of a company, to cease to trade.
15To double or lay together (one’s arms, hands, wings, etc.) so as to overlap with each other.
16To enclose in a fold of material, to swathe, wrap up, cover, enwrap.
17To enclose within folded arms, to clasp, to embrace (see also enfold).
18To cover up, to conceal.
19To split (a line of text) across multiple lines, to obey line length limitations.
20An act of folding.
21Any correct move in origami.
22That which is folded together, or which enfolds or envelops.
23A bend or crease.
24A layer, typically of folded or wrapped cloth.
25A clasp, embrace.
26A coil of a snake’s body.
27One of the doorleaves of a folding door.
28A gentle curve of the ground
29Gentle hill or valley.
30The bending or curving of one or a stack of originally flat and planar surfaces, such as sedimentary strata, as a result of plastic (i.e. permanent) deformation.
31The division between the top and bottom halves of a broadsheet: headlines above the fold will be readable in a newsstand display
32Usually the fold.
33The division between the part of a web page visible in a web browser window without scrolling
34Usually the fold.
35Any of a family of higher-order functions that process a data structure recursively to build up a value.
36A section of source code that can be collapsed out of view in an editor to aid readability.
37One individual part of something described as manifold, twofold, fourfold, etc.
38A pen or enclosure for sheep or other domestic animals.
39Any enclosed piece of land belonging to a farm or mill
40Yard, farmyard.
41An enclosure or dwelling generally.
42A group of sheep or goats, particularly those kept in a given enclosure.
43Home, family.
44A church congregation, a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church
45Also, the Christian church as a whole, the flock of Christ.
46A group of people with shared ideas or goals or who live or work together.
47To confine (animals) in a fold, to pen in.
48To include in a spiritual ‘flock’ or group of the saved, etc.
49To place sheep on (a piece of land) in order to manure it.
50To plait or mat (hair) together.
51To ensnare, to capture.
52A wrapping or covering.
53The Earth
54Earth
55Land, country.
About synonyms for fold
Finding the right synonym for fold helps writers avoid repetition and add precision to their work. Defined as "To bend (any thin material, such as paper) over so that it comes in contact with itself.", fold has 9 alternatives that can fit different contexts and tones.
Each synonym carries a slightly different shade of meaning. Folding is the most direct replacement in most situations. Sheepfold works well in formal or professional contexts. Sheepcote is often preferred when the context calls for a more specific or nuanced expression.
When choosing a synonym, consider the connotation, formality level, and audience. Some alternatives work better in casual conversation while others shine in academic or professional writing. For example, using a more formal synonym in a business email can elevate your tone, while a casual synonym might feel more natural in creative writing or dialogue.
It is also worth noting that not all synonyms are perfectly interchangeable. The context of your sentence, the surrounding words, and the intended emotional impact all play a role in selecting the best alternative. The list above provides the most common and useful replacements for fold, but always read your sentence aloud to ensure the chosen word flows naturally.