become

[bih-kuhm]

verb (used without object)

became, become, becoming. 

1. to come, change, or grow to be (as specified).

   He became tired.

2. to come into being.

verb (used with object)

became, become, becoming. 

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

• get

Example Sentences

Over the course of a few months, they told me how the girls had become addicted to what they now suspect was spice, and would come home so high they would collapse.

From BBC

"These services became deeply ingrained not only in people's daily lives but also in business processes."

From BBC

He said losing his legs had led him to "audit" his life and try new things, including applying to become Nasa's first disabled astronaut.

From BBC

“Happy Together” topped the charts and would become one of the standards of its era, appearing often in commercials and films.

From Los Angeles Times

"Some of the SPF testing, I feel, has become a bit more of a marketing exercise than a real reflection of efficacy."

From BBC

Related Words

• come 
• develop into www.thesaurus.com
• grow into 
• turn into www.thesaurus.com