behave

[ bih-heyv ]

verb (used without object)

, be·haved, be·hav·ing.

1. to act in a particular way; conduct or comport oneself or itself:

   The ship behaves well.

   Synonyms: perform

2. to act properly:

   Did the child behave?

3. to act or react under given circumstances:

   This plastic behaves strangely under extreme heat or cold.

verb (used with object)

, be·haved, be·hav·ing.

1. to conduct or comport (oneself ) in a proper manner:

   Sit quietly and behave yourself.

behave

/ bɪˈheɪv /

verb

1. intr to act or function in a specified or usual way
2. to conduct (oneself) in a specified way

   he behaved badly towards her

3. to conduct (oneself) properly or as desired

   the child behaved himself all day

Other Words From

• unbe·having adjective
• well-be·haved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of behave¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English behaven “to behave oneself”; equivalent to be- + have

Word History and Origins

Origin of behave¹

C15: see be- , have

Example Sentences

In a similar way, understanding how one quark and gluon behave doesn't immediately convey how a proton behaves as a whole.

From Science Daily

Electrons behave in ways that are often counterintuitive, and under certain conditions, their waves can interfere with each other in a way that concentrates their movement into certain patterns.

From Science Daily

He suggested allegations that he had behaved inappropriately came from "a handful of middle-class women of a certain age".

From BBC

Instead of admitting they were wrong and changing course, Republicans are behaving like guilty liars do everywhere, and destroying the evidence.

From Salon

“People want nothing to do with him, they don’t want to see him, they don’t want anything to do with putting money his way. The way he’s behaved is just absolutely terrible,” Mr Scully says.

From BBC

Related Words

• act
• operate
• perform
• react