behave Hear it!

behave Definition

be·have (bē hāv′, bi-)

transitive verb, intransitive verb behaved -·haved′, behaving -·hav′·ing

  1. to conduct (oneself or itself) in a specified way; act or react
  2. to conduct (oneself) in a correct or proper way

Etymology: see be- & have

behave Synonyms

behave

v.

  1. To act

    perform, work, run, function; see act 1.

  2. To act in a specified or proper way

    conduct oneself, acquit oneself, deport oneself, comport oneself, handle oneself, demean oneself, acquit oneself well, act with decorum, observe the golden rule, be nice, be good, be civil, act properly, mind one's p's and q's, be orderly, obey, play one's part, observe the rules, observe the law, reform, mind one's manners, manage oneself, discipline oneself, be on one's best behavior, act one's age, avoid offense, keep the peace, toe the mark, toe the line*, shape up*, stay in line*, keep out of mischief*; see also act 2.

    Antonyms misbehave*, be rude, offend.

behave, used reflexively (as also the other words in this comparison), implies action in conformity with the required standards of decorum did the children behave themselves?; conduct implies the direction or guidance of one's actions in a specified way she conducted herself well at the trial; comport and esp. deport suggest behavior in accordance with the fixed rules of society they deported themselves like gentlemen; acquit suggests behavior in accordance with the duties of one's position or with one's obligations the rookie acquitted himself like a major leaguer; demean suggests behavior or appearance that is indicative of the specified character trait she demeaned herself like a gracious hostess

behave Usage Examples

Object

  • yourselves: If you all behave yourselves while I'm away I may bring you back some photos.

Modifying Another Word

  • asynchronously: This function can behave asynchronously if self is using an asynchronous connection.

Used with why or when

  • when: If she doesn't behave as well when on a lead, try the exercise recommended above for adult dogs.

Present participle complement

  • accord: We need to cause the grass to behave according to a higher mode of vibration.
  • depend: You must remember that the filters, the diaphragms and the stops behave very differently depending on the subject.

Preposition: in

  • fashion: This model behaves in a fashion that generally agrees with the empirical evidence.

Preposition: like

  • scrapie: They concluded that action was called for to meet the risk that BSE would not behave like scrapie.
  • magnet: Many atoms behave like tiny dipole magnets; they possess in effect a north and south pole separated by some small distance.
behave Quotes

Il ne faut se permettre d'exce'  s qu'avec les gens qu'on veut quitter biento"  t. We should never permit ourselves to behave in excess except with those whom we will leave soon.

—Laclos, Pierre-Ambroise Choderlos de

Oh, when I was in love with you, Then I was clean and brave, And miles around the wonder grew How well I did behave.

—Housman, A(lfred) E(dward)

We are all the President's men, and we must behave accordingly.

—Kissinger, HenryAlfred

Do you think that the things people make fools of themselves about are any less real and true than the things they behave sensibly about? Theyare more true: theyare the only things that are true.

—Shaw, George Bernard