become

[ bih-kuhm ]

verb (used without object)

, be·came [bih-, keym], be·come, be·com·ing [bih-, kuhm, -ing].

1. to come, change, or grow to be (as specified):

   He became tired.

2. to come into being.

verb (used with object)

, be·came [bih-, keym], be·come, be·com·ing [bih-, kuhm, -ing].

1. to be attractive on; befit in appearance; look well on:

   That gown becomes you.

2. to be suitable or necessary to the dignity, situation, or responsibility of:

   conduct that becomes an officer.

become

/ bɪˈkʌm /

verb

1. copula to come to be; develop or grow into

   he became a monster

2. foll by of; usually used in a question to fall to or be the lot (of); happen (to)

   what became of him?

3. tr (of clothes, etc) to enhance the appearance of (someone); suit

   that dress becomes you

4. tr to be appropriate; befit

   it ill becomes you to complain

Word History and Origins

Origin of become¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English becumen, Old English becuman “to come about, happen”; cognate with Dutch bekomen, German bekommen, Gothic biqiman. See be-, come

Word History and Origins

Origin of become¹

Old English becuman to happen; related to Old High German biqueman to come to, Gothic biquiman to appear suddenly

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. become of, to happen to; be the fate of:

   What will become of him?

More idioms and phrases containing become

In addition to the idiom beginning with become , also see idioms beginning with get .

Example Sentences

The bird flu crisis, driven by the H5N1 virus, began several years ago, but ramped up considerably in April when dairy cows started becoming infected.

From Salon

Kiwi Beverages was incorporated in January 2024 when it also became a wholly owned subsidiary of SHE.

From BBC

Pushing away the slurry water with a bristled brush became a defining image.

From BBC

One of its quirks is "the middle of Lidl" and a trip to the retailer has become synonymous with shoppers returning with something they had not gone in for.

From BBC

She adds: "It's dark, it's dank… it's perfect. And this just became another one of those opportunities for us to embrace and say, 'let's go'."

From BBC

Related Words

• come
• develop into
• grow into
• turn into