Language Research

send · verb T

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send (MAIL)

A1 to arrange for something to go to or be delivered somewhere or to someone

Dictionary examples:

Juan has just sent me a text message.

Send me an e-mail with the information.

I'll send her a letter/fax/package/postcard next week.

We'll send it by mail.

They sent her flowers for her birthday.

Maggie sends her love and hopes you'll feel better soon.

Learner example:

I can use [the] internet to learn English, and sometime[s] I send e-mail. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Cantonese)

send (MAKE GO)

B2 to make someone go somewhere

Dictionary examples:

We're sending the children to stay with my parents for a couple of weeks.

The UN sent relief workers to the region.

Who can afford to send their kids to college these days?

He was trying to explain but she became impatient and sent him away.

Learner example:

We should buil[d] more schools because we only have one, so we have to send our children away and none of us like that. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

send (MAKE HAPPEN)

C2 to cause someone or something to do a particular thing, or to cause something to happen

Dictionary examples:

The explosion sent the crowd into a panic.

The fan sent papers flying all over the room.

A gentle breeze sent the clouds drifting across the sky.

Learner example:

While we were singing a duet by Mendelssohn with my sister, a sweeping movement of my hand sent two pages of music flying toward the first row of seats. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Turkish)

send shivers/a shiver down your spine

C2 to make you feel afraid or excited

Dictionary example:

The sound of his voice sent shivers down my spine.

Learner example:

Simply looking at her sent shivers down his spine - there was the love of his life, the dearest woman on good old Earth, that he's never met before. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

send sth back or send back sth

B1 to return something to the person who sent it to you, especially because it is damaged or not suitable

Dictionary example:

I had to send the shirt back because it didn't fit me.

Learner example:

I usual[l]y order my clothes [on the] Internet. It's fast, easy and you don't have any problems send[ing] them back if they don't fit. (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)

send for sb

C2 to send someone a message asking them to come to see you

Dictionary example:

We had to send for a doctor.

Learner example:

Immediately after his arrival he sent for Beadle. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

send off sth or send sth off

B2 to send a letter, document or parcel by mail

Dictionary example:

Have you sent off your application yet?

send sth out or send out sth

C2 to produce something in a way that causes it to spread out from a central point

Dictionary examples:

The laser sends out a red beam of light.

The bushes were sending out new shoots.

The smoke alarm sent out a high-pitched sound.

Learner example:

On the other side of the lake the placid grazing cows would munch their breakfast as the sun rose on the horizon, sending out a flood of colors across the sky. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)