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

In the last year, her fusion exercise class has attracted a cult following and become de rigueur among the celebrity set.

From The Daily Beast

The more we appease, the more we indulge, the more emboldened the enemies of freedom become.

From The Daily Beast

Spouting off against police online has become criminalized in recent weeks.

From The Daily Beast

Many of those who have become cops in New York seem to have ceased to address such minor offenses over the past few days.

From The Daily Beast

Lucas said that he himself nonetheless hopes to become a cop.

From The Daily Beast

It will be a busy session; and I want to see if I can't become a useful public man.

From Project Gutenberg

My son,” said Grabantak one evening to Chingatok, “if we are henceforth to live in peace, why not unite and become one nation?

From Project Gutenberg

You will follow the suite of my daughter to Spain, and you will become the bosom Counsellor of the wife of your Prince?

From Project Gutenberg

The children of sinners become children of abominations, and they that converse near the houses of the ungodly.

From Project Gutenberg

I shall soon depart, and practise no more; and my time will become my own—still my own, by no means yours.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• come
• develop into
• grow into
• turn into