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

“Compromise is not a sign of weakness … We cannot allow perfection to become the enemy of progress.”

From Salon

The results, supporters say, bolster the case for prediction markets as they become more mainstream and seek to expand election betting in the U.S.

From Salon

A former light-heavyweight champion who at 23 became the youngest title holder in UFC history, Jones is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time after winning 28 of his 30 MMA bouts.

From BBC

It follows months of rumblings about Mr Davies, who first became the Tories’ Senedd leader 13 years ago.

From BBC

He has become a confident, fearless puncher – nothing like the fighter who lost to Joe Joyce in 2020 - and will fancy his chances to finish Parker inside the distance.

From BBC

Related Words

• come
• develop into
• grow into
• turn into