belong Hear it!

belong Definition

be·long (bē lôŋ′, bi-)

intransitive verb

  1. to have a proper or suitable place the chair belongs in the corner, she belongs in the movies
  2. to be part of; be related or connected (to)
  3. to be a member: with to
  4. to be owned: with to
  5. Slang to be the owner: with to who belongs to this toothbrush?

Etymology: ME bilangen < be-, intens. + longen, to be suitable < OE langian, to belong

belong Synonyms

belong

v.

  1. To be properly placed

    fit, go, reside, normally exist, have (its) place, pertain, appertain, bear, apply, relate, inhere, bear upon, regard, correlate with, go with, have to do with, be associated with, linked with, merge with, have respect to, have applicability to, be a part of, be a constituent of, be a component of, be an attribute of, be an adjunct of, permeate, touch, be linked, to be joined to, be allied to, be akin to, be related to, refer, concern, associate, be relevant.

    Antonyms disturb*, intrude*, be incongruous.

  2. To be accepted in a group; said of persons

    be a member, fit in, have a place, be one of, be born so, take one's place with, be associated with, be affiliated with, be classified among, be counted among, be included in, be contained in, owe allegiance to, owe support to, be bound to, be a part of, be one of the family*, be in with*.

    Antonyms differ*, rebel*, not fit in.

belong Usage Examples

Object

  • part: To him must belong the greater part of the credit for the early days of the parish.
  • ': Karen is also tackling dog poop problems and will put irresponsible owners where they belong â in the doghouse.
  • degree: And so to all the intermediate colors in a continued series belong intermediate degrees of refrangibility.
  • home: If a mother comes into a Western home, she has to be subordinate to the wife; to the wife belongs the home.

Used with why or when

  • where: Here was something that really didn't belong where it was.
  • which: Is it to do with the tradition of theology to which they belong which simply discounts the need for the Virgin Birth?
  • when: Read more " Spectators " ( 5/7 ) is a reflection on our deep and intrinsic need to anonymously belong when viewing thrilling events.

Infinitive complement

please: If you think you know who it belongs to please email Charles Christacopoulos.

Modifying Another Word

  • formerly: The manor belonged formerly to St. Peter's Abbey at Chertsey.
  • thereto: King Edward VI granted out, in fee, the lands and tenements belonging thereto to Thomas Dalston and William Denton.
  • rightfully: She then learns that her Axel is taking a job that rightfully belongs to her father.
  • exclusively: The wages, savings and any windfall received by a working class woman belonged exclusively to her husband.
  • once: The village once belonged to the Duke of Bedford.
  • properly: Their meaning has been ' contaminated ' by the meanings which properly belong in different arenas, different ' language games ' .

Preposition: in

  • past: Memories are fine - but they do belong in the past.
  • domain: It is reproduced here because this information belongs in the public domain and should not be subject to government censorship.
  • library: REVIEWS...A copy belongs in every university library, government aid agency, donor organization, and NGO resource center.
  • family: The [ European Communities Act ] clearly belongs in this family... .
  • sphere: The key is to sort out properly what belongs in the public sphere - and what does not.
  • order: Today's approach reverses this order: you need to be welcomed and made to feel that you belong in order to believe.