behoove

The definition of behoove means to be necessary or appropriate for.

(verb)

An example of behoove is the effect a lecture on college scholarships has for graduating high school seniors.

See behoove in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb behooved, behooving

to be necessary for or incumbent upon: it behooves you to think for yourself

Origin: ME bihofian < OE behofian, to have need of < behoof

intransitive verb

Now Rare to be morally necessary or proper

See behoove in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb be·hooved, be·hoov·ing, be·hooves

verb, transitive

To be necessary or proper for: It behooves you at least to try.

verb, intransitive

To be necessary or proper.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English behoven

Origin: , from Old English behōfian; see kap- in Indo-European roots

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