become Hear it!

become Definition

be·come (bē kum, bi-)

intransitive verb -·came, -·come, -·com·ing

  1. to come to be to become ill
  2. to grow to be; change or develop into by growth the tadpole becomes a frog

Etymology: ME bicumen < OE becuman: see be- & come

transitive verb

  1. to befit; suit modesty becomes her
  2. to be right for or suitable to in appearance that hat becomes you

become Idioms

become of

to happen to; be the fate of

become Synonyms

become

v.

  1. To come to be

    develop into, change into, resolve into, turn into, pass into, grow into, evolve into, be metamorphosed, eventually be, emerge as, turn out to be, progress toward being, come to be, get to be, be transformed into, be translated into, shift, assume the form of, assume the shape of, be reformed to, be remodeled, be transmuted, be transfigured, be reduced to, be converted to, convert, mature, increasingly grow, shift toward, incline to, melt into*; see also grow 2.

  2. To be suitable

    enhance, set off, display, agree with, accord with, harmonize with, go with, make handsome, adorn, be appropriate, heighten, belong to, be consistent with, match, enrich, garnish, grace, befit, ornament, suit, fit, be fitting, behoove, flatter, embellish, put in the best light, reveal the charm of, augment the attraction of.

    Antonyms distort*, detract from, spoil.

become Usage Examples

Object

  • member: Some of the sites require you to become a member to play these online games.
  • part: Upon adoption, these sewers will become part of Southern Water's sewerage system maintained at our expense.
  • reality: There are no guarantees that what is proposed today will become a reality for disabled people tomorrow.
  • victim: This may be related to anxieties about getting viruses or becoming a victim of identity theft.
  • leader: Saudi Arabia intends to become a world leader in fertilizer production.
  • friend: I have enjoyed meeting parents and guardians, and indeed many have become friends.

Used with why or when

  • what: Whether a band can capture the magic on record eventually becomes what separates the Grateful Dead success from Led Zeppelin domination.
  • when: Increase heat and boil rapidly until a dollop of toffee becomes hard when put into cold water.

Adjective complement

  • apparent: Memories may become apparent during dream state or have a trigger event in the awakened state.
  • aware: People had started to become more aware that there was a spiritual side to life on earth.
  • clear: It quickly became clear that our standard branding package would suit.
  • popular: South Africa has become especially popular in the past two or three years.
  • familiar: Students will become familiar with the database software package Microsoft Access.
  • available: Over time, further areas will become available through the natural succession of land-use change in the landscape.

Modifying Another Word

  • soon: He soon became a favorite with the old farmer, who spoke eloquently of his virtues.
  • quickly: It quickly became clear that our standard branding package would suit.
  • increasingly: By 2015, the majority of the Top 20 will consist of targeted therapies, whose place in cancer therapy will become increasingly established.
  • eventually: Indeed, its name eventually became a generic term for steel windows.
  • rapidly: The New Year however, is rapidly becoming a more popular time.
  • suddenly: Then the villagers find out that he's actually German and people suddenly become hostile.

Browse dictionary entries near become

  1. BECN
  2. becloud
  3. beckon
  4. Beckford
  5. Beckett
  6. becket bend
  7. becket
  8. beck
  9. Bechuanaland
  10. Bechuana
  1. becoming
  2. becquerel
  3. Becquerel rays
  4. bed
  5. bed-and-breakfast
  6. bed board
  7. bed down
  8. bed jacket
  9. bed linen
  10. bed liner