Synonyms

belonging

American

[bih-lawng-ing, -long-] / bɪˈlɔŋ ɪŋ, -ˈlɒŋ- /

noun

something that belongs.
belongings, possessions; goods; personal effects.

belonging British

/ bɪˈlɒŋɪŋ /

noun

secure relationship; affinity (esp in the phrase a sense of belonging )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

unbelonging adjective

Etymology

Origin of belonging

First recorded in 1595–1605; belong + -ing ¹

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.

"While the journey has not been easy and has tested us, I am delighted that this story ends not in frustration, but in belonging."

From BBC

An enameled brooch and tortoiseshell calling card case belonging to Leah.

From Literature

He allegedly “manipulated” her to stop paying rent for her home in the United Kingdom and encouraged her to sell her belongings or put them in storage so she could move to L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, on the other side of the river, Magic had arrived just outside the burrow belonging to Major Puff and Twitch.

From Literature

“Every decade or so, it pops up again and they start kind of questioning our belonging,” Amalfitano said.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023