become
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to come, change, or grow to be (as specified).
He became tired.
-
to come into being.
verb (used with object)
-
to be attractive on; befit in appearance; look well on.
That gown becomes you.
-
to be suitable or necessary to the dignity, situation, or responsibility of.
conduct that becomes an officer.
idioms
verb
-
(copula) to come to be; develop or grow into
he became a monster
-
(foll by of; usually used in a question) to fall to or be the lot (of); happen (to)
what became of him?
-
(tr) (of clothes, etc) to enhance the appearance of (someone); suit
that dress becomes you
-
(tr) to be appropriate; befit
it ill becomes you to complain
Etymology
Origin of become
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When MafB is absent, these cells become impaired and can no longer carry out their protective responsibilities properly.
From Science Daily
When heating intensifies, the ice shell can melt and become thinner.
From Science Daily
This approach, known as moiré engineering, has become a key strategy for designing new forms of quantum matter.
From Science Daily
In tissues that are cancerous or at risk of becoming malignant, the same molecules can stimulate tumor growth through eIF5A2.
From Science Daily
As for tariffs, some were reduced in November after it became apparent they targeted some products, such as coffee, essential to Americans’ daily lives.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
