Mend vs Repair

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Mend

Top 2,000 (common)

Repair

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 verb

Most common: Repair

	Mend	Repair
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //mɛnd// 🇺🇸 //mɛnd//	🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈpeə(r)/","/rɪˈpeəz/","/rɪˈpeəd/","/rɪˈpeərɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈper/","/rɪˈperz/","/rɪˈperd/","/rɪˈperɪŋ/"]/
Meaning	To fix something that is broken.	To fix something that is broken.
Example	She will mend the tear in her dress.	I need to repair my bicycle because the tire is flat.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	-	A2
Part of speech		verb
Collocations	mend a relationship, mend a tear, mend a fence, mend broken hearts, mend clothes	properly, successfully, poorly, try to, help (to), the cost of repairing something, have something repaired, surgically repaired
Antonyms	break, damage, ruin	damage, destroy, break
Common mistakes	Confusing with 'amend', which means to improve text or legislation., Using 'mend' without an object, e.g., saying 'I mend.' instead of 'I mend clothes.', Incorrectly assuming 'mend' only applies to physical objects.	Saying 'repair to' instead of 'repair' (incorrect preposition usage), Confusing 'repair' with 'remedy' in context (different meanings), Using 'repair' only for physical objects, while it can also apply to relationships or systems.
Usage notes	Used in everyday conversation; appropriate for casual and formal contexts. Avoid using with very technical objects.	Used in everyday conversation and formal settings. Suitable when discussing fixing physical items, such as cars or electronics. Avoid using in non-literal contexts.

See it in real clips

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

By the skills of Lord Elrond, you're beginning to mend.

Mend

Nearest exit, Franklin and Erie. An old TV repair shop.

Repair

Frequently asked questions: Mend vs Repair

What's the difference between Mend and Repair?

Mend: To fix something that is broken. Repair: To fix something that is broken.

Which is more common: Mend and Repair?

Repair is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Mend: She will mend the tear in her dress. Repair: I need to repair my bicycle because the tire is flat.

Can I use Mend and Repair interchangeably?

Not always. Mend and Repair are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.