What does "belong" mean?
To have its proper place.
Belong
/bɪˈlɒŋ/ prep, verb
prep, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: To have its proper place.
- Grammar: belong is listed as prep, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: accord, affect, agree, answer to.
- Useful contrasts: disown, forfeit, isolate.
- Usage evidence: You belong in a better place than this.
How to use "belong"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "belong" 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 "belong" 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 "belong" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "belong" 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 "belong" is acting as prep, 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 "accord" 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 "belong", 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 To have its proper place. intransitive
"Where does this book belong? It belongs on the top shelf."
- 2 be owned by; be in the possession of wordnet
- 3 To have its proper place.; To be accepted in a group. intransitive
"You don’t belong here — get out."
- 4 be a part or adjunct wordnet
- 5 To have its proper place.; To be a part of a group. intransitive, with-to
"I don’t belong to them!"
Show 9 more definitions
- 6 be rightly classified in a class or category wordnet
- 7 To be part of, or the property of. intransitive, with-to
"That house belongs to me."
- 8 be suitable or acceptable wordnet
- 9 To be the spouse or partner of. intransitive, with-to
- 10 be in the right place or situation wordnet
- 11 (followed by to) To be an element of (a set). The symbol ∈ means belongs to. intransitive
"Suppose x belongs to #92;mathbb#123;R#125;…"
- 12 be a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc. (of a group, organization, or place) wordnet
- 13 To be deserved by. obsolete, transitive
"More evils belong us than happen to us."
- 14 To do something habitually or customarily. Cornwall
"Belong. To be accustomed; to be due. He belongs to go every day. The 'bus belongs to start soon."
Preposition
- 1 Of, belonging to.
"Jim Campbell, Charlie, Dick, ... Fred, lubra b’longa him, me, thass all."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"You belong in a better place than this."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "belong"?
Common synonyms include: accord, affect, agree, answer to, appertain, appertain to.
How do you use "belong" in a sentence?
You belong in a better place than this.
How do you pronounce "belong"?
Pronounced /bɪˈlɒŋ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English belongen, bilongen, from Middle English be- + longen (“to be fitting, be suitable”), from Old English langian (“to pertain to, suit”), equivalent to be- + long (“to belong”). Compare Saterland Frisian beloangje (“to attain, reach, meet”), Dutch belangen (“to concern”), German belangen (“to sue, concern”).
Etymology 2
Compare Australian Kriol blanga, Bislama blong, Tok Pisin bilong, and Torres Strait Creole blong.