What does "become" mean?
begin to be; turn into (often with permanent states).
Become
/bɪˈkʊm/ verb
verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: begin to be; turn into (often with permanent states).
- Grammar: become is listed as verb.
- Nearest alternatives: suit, adorn, agree with, alter.
- Useful contrasts: misfit, remain, stay.
- Usage evidence: A small forest fire can easily spread and quickly become a great conflagration.
How to use "become"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "become" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "become" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "become" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "become" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "become" is acting as verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "suit" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "become", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 begin to be; turn into (often with permanent states). copulative
"Near-synonyms: get, turn, go, come, fall, grow, wax"
- 2 enter or assume a certain state or condition wordnet
- 3 To come about; happen; come into being; arise. intransitive
"What became of him after he was let go?"
- 4 come into existence wordnet
- 5 To be appropriate for. transitive
"It doesn’t become a true gentleman to speak in such a manner."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 undergo a change or development wordnet
- 7 Of an adornment, piece of clothing etc.: to look attractive on (someone). transitive
"That dress really becomes you."
- 8 enhance the appearance of wordnet
- 9 To arrive, come (to a place). intransitive, obsolete
"& thenne the noble knyghte sire Launcelot departed with ryghte heuy chere sodenly / that none erthely creature wyste of hym / nor where he was become / but sir Bors"
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"A small forest fire can easily spread and quickly become a great conflagration."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "become"?
Common synonyms include: suit, adorn, agree with, alter, alter into, amount.
How do you use "become" in a sentence?
A small forest fire can easily spread and quickly become a great conflagration.
How do you pronounce "become"?
Pronounced /bɪˈkʊm/.
Etymology
A compound of the sources of be- + come. From Middle English becomen, bicumen, from Old English becuman (“to come (to), approach, arrive, enter, meet with, fall in with; happen, befall; befit”), from Proto-Germanic *bikwemaną (“to come around, come about, come across, come by”), equivalent to be- (“about, around”) + come. Cognate with Scots becum (“to come, arrive, reach a destination”), North Frisian bekommen, bykommen (“to come by, obtain, receive”), West Frisian bikomme (“to come by, obtain, receive”), Dutch bekomen (“to come by, obtain, receive”), German bekommen (“to get, receive, obtain”), Swedish bekomma (“to receive, concern”), Gothic 𐌱𐌹𐌵𐌹𐌼𐌰𐌽 (biqiman, “to come upon one, befall”). Sense of "befit, suit" due to influence from Middle English cweme, icweme, see queem. Displaced Old English weorþan.