becoming

[bih-kuhm-ing]

adjective

1. that suits or gives a pleasing effect or attractive appearance, as to a person or thing.

   a becoming dress; a becoming hairdo.

   Synonyms: comely

2. suitable; appropriate; proper.

   a becoming sentiment.

   Synonyms: fitting, seemly, congruous, decorous, right, apt, fit, meet

noun

1. any process of change.

2. Aristotelianism.,  any change involving realization of potentialities, as a movement from the lower level of potentiality to the higher level of actuality.

becoming

/ bɪˈkʌmɪŋ /

adjective

1. suitable; appropriate

noun

1. any process of change

2. (in the philosophy of Aristotle) any change from the lower level of potentiality to the higher level of actuality

Other Word Forms

• becomingly adverb
• becomingness noun
• well-becoming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of becoming¹

First recorded in 1555–65; become + -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Walters has had a controversial tenure since becoming superintendent in January 2023.

From Salon

“The tools are becoming far more advanced as we speak, so this problem isn’t going to be getting smaller, it’s going to be getting quite a bit bigger, very quickly.”

From Los Angeles Times

He vowed to deliver change across the UK, and denied that his record in government had derailed Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar's chances of becoming first minister.

From BBC

In an interview with Fox News this week, Erdogan said of the F-35 ban: "I don't think it is very becoming of a strategic partnership."

From BBC

But she cautioned that "with the impact of tariffs and policy uncertainty becoming increasingly visible, slower US growth and higher inflation are still on the horizon."

From BBC