be
verb (used without object)
to exist or live.
be
1 American
[bee, bi]
/ bi, bɪ /
verb (used without object)
-
am,
present (1st person singular)
-
are,
present (2nd person singular), present (plural)
-
is,
present (3rd person singular)
-
was,
past (1st person), past (1st & 3rd person singular)
-
were,
past (2nd person singular), past (plural), past subjunctive
-
been,
past participle
-
being
present participle
-
to exist or live.
Shakespeare's “To be or not to be” is the ultimate question.
-
to take place; happen; occur.
The wedding was last week.
-
to occupy a place or position.
The book is on the table.
-
to continue or remain as before.
Let things be.
-
to belong; attend; befall.
May good fortune be with you.
-
(used as a copula to connect the subject with its predicate adjective, or predicate nominative, in order to describe, identify, or amplify the subject).
Martha is tall. John is president. This is she.
-
(used as a copula to introduce or form interrogative or imperative sentences).
Is that right? Be quiet! Don't be facetious.
auxiliary verb
-
am,
present (1st person singular)
-
are,
present (2nd person singular), present (plural)
-
is,
present (3rd person singular)
-
was,
past (1st person), past (1st & 3rd person singular)
-
were,
past (2nd person singular), past (plural), past subjunctive, past (2nd person singular), past (plural)
-
been,
past participle
-
being
present participle
-
(used with the present participle of another verb to form the progressive tense).
I am waiting.
-
(used with the present participle or infinitive of the principal verb to indicate future action).
She is visiting there next week. He is to see me today.
-
(used with the past participle of another verb to form the passive voice).
The date was fixed. It must be done.
-
(used in archaic or literary constructions with some intransitive verbs to form the perfect tense).
He is come. Agamemnon to the wars is gone.
verb (used with object)
-
am,
present (1st person singular)
-
are,
present (plural), present (2nd person singular)
-
is,
present (3rd person singular)
-
was,
past (1st person), past (1st & 3rd person singular)
-
were
past (2nd person singular), past (plural)
Be
2
American
Symbol, Chemistry.
Bé.
3
American
abbreviation
B/E
4
American
Or
b.e.
be-
5
American
B.E.
6
American
abbreviation
-
Bachelor of Education.
-
Bachelor of Engineering.
-
Bank of England.
-
bill of exchange.
-
Board of Education.
be
1
British
/ biː, bɪ /
verb
-
to have presence in the realm of perceived reality; exist; live
I think, therefore I am
not all that is can be understood
-
(used in the perfect or past perfect tenses only) to pay a visit; go
have you been to Spain?
-
to take place; occur
my birthday was last Thursday
-
(copula) used as a linking verb between the subject of a sentence and its noun or adjective complement or complementing phrase. In this case be expresses the relationship of either essential or incidental equivalence or identity ( John is a man; John is a musician ) or specifies an essential or incidental attribute ( honey is sweet; Susan is angry ). It is also used with an adverbial complement to indicate a relationship of location in space or time ( Bill is at the office; the dance is on Saturday )
-
(takes a present participle) forms the progressive present tense
the man is running
-
(takes a past participle) forms the passive voice of all transitive verbs and (archaically) certain intransitive ones
a good film is being shown on television tonight
I am done
-
(takes an infinitive) expresses intention, expectation, supposition, or obligation
the president is to arrive at 9.30
you are not to leave before I say so
-
(takes a past participle) forms the perfect or past perfect tense of certain intransitive verbs of motion, such as go or come
the last train is gone
-
the facts concerning (something) are of no importance
be-
2
British
prefix
-
(from nouns) to surround completely; cover on all sides
befog
-
(from nouns) to affect completely or excessively
bedazzle
-
(from nouns) to consider as or cause to be
befool
befriend
-
(from nouns) to provide or cover with
bejewel
-
(from verbs) at, for, against, on, or over
bewail
berate
BE
3
British
abbreviation
-
bill of exchange
-
(in the US) Board of Education
-
Bachelor of Education
-
Bachelor of Engineering
Bé
4
British
abbreviation
Be
5
British
symbol
B/E
6
British
abbreviation
be
7
British
abbreviation
be
Idioms
Grammar
See me.
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
amsimple
-
aresimple
-
issimple
-
have beenperfect
-
has beenperfect
-
am beingprogressive
-
are beingprogressive
-
is beingprogressive
-
have been beingperfect progressive
-
has been beingperfect progressive
Past
-
wassimple
-
weresimple
-
had beenperfect
-
was beingprogressive
-
were beingprogressive
-
had been beingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of be1
First recorded before 900; Middle English been, Old English bēon “to be” (akin to Old Frisian, Old High German bim, German bin, Old Saxon bium, biom “(I) am,” Old English, Old High German, Old Saxon būan, Old Norse būa “reside,” Latin fuī “(I) have been,“ Greek phy- “grow, become,” Old Irish boí “(he) was,” Sanskrit bhávati “(he) becomes, is,” Lithuanian búti “to be,” Old Church Slavonic byti, Persian būdan “to be”); see am, is, are 1, was, were
Origin of be-5
Middle English, Old English, unstressed form of bī by
Explanation
To be is to exist, or to take place. As Hamlet best put it: "To be or not to be, that is the question." The verb be is one of the most frequently used words in English, and it often takes the form of am, are, were, or was. When you make plans to meet someone later, you could say, "I'll be on the steps in front of the library," and when you talk about your goals, you might confess, "I want to be a movie star." It's a verb with a complicated history, stemming mainly from the Old English bēon, "be, exist, or happen."
Vocabulary lists containing be
Scrabble: Two-Letter Words
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Spelling Practice, Unit 8
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Spelling Practice 1, Unit 3
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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.
See Examples For:
Kris is a queer filmmaker taking on the task of reclaiming the slasher horror film-within-the-film, “Camp Miasma,” rebooting it for the queer community to no longer be appalled by.
From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2026
He is reportedly 19 years old and is believed to be the ex-boyfriend of the 18-year-old victim, Maz Online reported.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
And more so, the exciting possibility of passion for passion’s sake, without rushing to mold it into anything more, unless it proves itself to actually be something more, which only time can tell.
From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2026
Scotland's FOI law allows some information requests to be refused if they would compromise confidential communications between lawyers and their clients - but it is subject to a public interest test.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
To catch it, you must be part of the 5 percent of the population without immunity, and you must be in prolonged physical contact with someone who is sick.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Led by Brittany Howard, the reunited soul-rock band tackles love, nature and a fraying American optimism on ‘I Must Be Dreaming,’ its first album in more than a decade.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
Be careful not to put the extinguisher in a place where it could become a dangerous flying object in an accident.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026
Be polite: Don't just launch in with "I'm on annual leave".
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026
The very first thing I saw there was an anime-style vertical video whose characters barely moved their lips and ended the whole thing with a verbatim “To Be Continue .. ” title card.
From Slate ● Aug. 16, 2026
“Don’t be sorry. Be about something. Fix this.”
From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce
Such experiments may be done, for instance, by preparing 2° Bé. solutions of each extract and then mixing them in proportions of, say, 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, etc.
From Synthetic Tannins by Georg Grasser
Above 10° Bé. the effect is more that of an acid with concentrations below 10° Bé.—the only ones of technical importance—however, no ill-effects may be observed.
From Synthetic Tannins by Georg Grasser
Neradol D is a viscous liquid, measuring about 33° Bé., which is similar to extracts of natural tannins.
From Synthetic Tannins by Georg Grasser
The partly neutralised 2° Bé. solution of this product yielded a reddish-grey coloured leather, the qualities of which were very similar to that yielded by Neradol D. 3.
From Synthetic Tannins by Georg Grasser
The same result was obtained by first half neutralising the phenolsulphonic acid and then adding sulphited quebracho extract till a 5° Bé. solution was obtained.
From Synthetic Tannins by Georg Grasser
Khoury’s father, Amin J. Khoury, founded Wellington, Florida-based B/E Aerospace, an aircraft cabin interiors maker that was bought in 2017 for more than $6 billion.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 6, 2022
Rockwell Collins, a longtime supplier of radio and flight displays to Boeing, last year bought B/E Aerospace, the largest cabin-equipment supplier.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 16, 2018
Numerous phone calls requesting an interview with executives from B/E Aerospace, which has its headquarters in Wellington, Fla., were not returned.
From New York Times ● Dec. 23, 2016
“In today’s environment, the goal is to fit as many seats in the cabin as possible,” said Tom Plant, the general manager for seating products at B/E Aerospace, one of the top airplane seat makers.
From New York Times ● Dec. 23, 2013
"B/E Aerospace may also guide below consensus," Stallard said.
From Reuters ● Oct. 18, 2010
What rotten luck for you that “The Grapes of Wrath” should not only have come out be- fore your book was submitted but should have so swept the country!
From Salon ● Oct. 15, 2024
Offering participants a discreet way to alert the moderator to their discomfort- for example by giving them remote buttons they can use to 'bring the researcher in' if need be- may be effective.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 15, 2023
Buteglute has given him his chance to be- to be- the most famous-ah- to do a good thing.
From Scientific American ● Apr. 20, 2023
My original encounter from the store got in line for her pic next, then be- came the photographer for the rest of the meet-and-greet.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 22, 2019
She places a hand heavily ringed with ivory and be- zoar stones on Felicia’s shoulder and motions toward the santero.
From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García
Earlier Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed head of Crimea, said air defence systems had been in action around a Kerch shipyard named after B.E.
From Reuters ● Nov. 4, 2023
"It was back in 2019 and I was sitting in my box room at home, quietly sulking and downloading application forms for jobs in PR," said the 48-year-old, who writes under the pen name B.E.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2023
The thriller is adapted from a book of the same name by B.E.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 14, 2023
It also features five commissions from the WNO: Atlanta composer B.E.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 12, 2022
Instead it was his father who did the talking, saying that the man had gone to St. Xavier’s, and then B.E.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
BE Semiconductor Industries raised its long-term revenue and profitability targets, citing increased demand for AI-related products.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
Shares of BE Semiconductor Industries, the Dutch supplier of semiconductor assembly equipment, are down 1.6%.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026
Album cuts like “$T. LOSER” and “WHAT IS IT LIKE, TO BE LIKED?” find Slayyyter caught up comparing herself to other artists.
From Salon ● Jun. 5, 2026
YOU HAD TO BE HERE: A local activist hung a “Save Bosnia” sign in the stands during the opening game here between Mexico and Norway.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 1994
You step out of your own shoes and put on someone else’s because you’re trying to BE that person for a moment.
From "Mockingbird" by Kathryn Erskine
Bé Ù, a Vietnamese restaurant in Virgil Village, will be open Friday, but owner Uyên Lê said that’s because she does her community organizing work through the business.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 29, 2026
Last summer, Uyên Lê, owner and chef at Bé Ù Vietnamese Street Food in East Hollywood, was scraping out her Sriracha bottles and trying to ration her supply.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2023
Bé Ù offered free meals in exchange for Huy Fong Sriracha sauce, and it got around 300 bottles during the promotion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2023
Opened last year, Le Grand Bé is a big, splashy, four-star addition to St-Malo’s historical walled center.
From New York Times ● Aug. 22, 2019
Neutralised as usual, the product, in a 3° Bé solution, converts pelt within three days into a white, full leather of good tensile strength.
From Synthetic Tannins by Georg Grasser
"I am not thinking about money or contracts. I feel a privilege to be able to do that."
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
“I am not privy to talk about that,” she told a reporter, explaining that negotiations were still being worked out by U.S.
From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2026
"Since I am the first I feel a great responsibility to pave the way for other women athletes who love playing games as much as I do," said Park, who majored in taekwondo in college.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
I hold durable power of attorney for her and am the named executor of her will.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026
“And what am I supposed to do with a high school diploma? It is nothing but a durned piece of paper.”
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
Recommendations it first published a decade ago include a revised test for unfitness to plead, changes to the hearing process and more effective powers for the court where allegations are proved.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
Whether you’re retired already or are planning to retire one day, if you’re doing everything right, you almost certainly own bonds.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026
Atletico, however, are open to selling Alvarez to Arsenal and have held direct talks with the Premier League champions over what would be one of the biggest transfers of the summer.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
Higher interest rates are good for people who are living on savings.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026
The Jesuits are widely known for their focus on social justice and human rights, as well as a devotion to theology, missionary work, and education.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
The $150-million training center in El Segundo is the biggest investment in women’s sports in the U.S., but it’s only a start with new ownership needed too.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
Schoenbrun’s third major full-length release has received mixed reviews from professional critics and reactions from casual cinema-goers along the lines of “what the hell is this?”
From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2026
Aimee Coombes, Brimble's sister, said while her family was relieved by the government's reaction they were "waiting now, and how long is it going to take?"
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
There is currently no transgender athlete playing in the league.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
The only certainty is that Joey is taken away from Lucban and brought to the Good Sisters Shepherd Convent orphanage in Quezon City, near the capital city of Manila.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Brink was asked about the situation before the Sparks’ game against Atlanta on Monday by Jarrod Castillo of The Mirror US, according to a video originally posted Wednesday on Threads.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
But the feeling was better than love, because it was just mine.
From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2026
His Optimus Prime voice was inspired by his older brother, a decorated US Marine and Vietnam War veteran, who suggested he should play the character as "a real hero, don't be a Hollywood hero".
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
Hearing this song after watching this movie, I felt like I was in love, even though I currently have no one to love — and didn’t think I wanted to.
From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2026
Yes, that was just the kind of person Joey wanted to be.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
The Law Commission said the current rules for defining "unfitness" were formulated in 1836, adding they were now outdated, external and did not take modern medical understandings of capacity into account.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
Many retirees who preferred to avoid risk were pushed toward higher-yielding investments just to generate the income that safer options once provided.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026
Goretzka repeatedly stated throughout the latter stage of his time at Bayern that he would fight for his spot but eventually had to accept the club hierarchy were not planning with him any longer.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
When markets fell while you were working, it hurt.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026
The remains ofPhineas, his mother, his brother-in-law, and 35,000 other San Francisco pioneers were dug up by the city and moved to a mass grave in a suburban cemetery.
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
He has been banned by the Sky from attending Wintrust Arena.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
While he has usually served as a number six, often playing alongside good friend Joshua Kimmich for Bayern and Germany, Goretzka has been used as an emergency centre-back and as a number 10 when needed.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
The other two look backward and can make a fund look better than it is when rates have been moving.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026
Salmond, a former SNP leader and first minister, challenged the way the investigation was conducted, and in 2019 government lawyers conceded the process had been unlawful and procedurally unfair.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
He had been terribly seasick on his first voyage from Boston to Chile in 1852, he tells her.
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
This is far less than the hundreds of billions being speculated ahead of the trial.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
The company built a “policy server” that prevents agents from doing things like deleting data sets, and stops Cisco data from being used to train third-party models, Subaiya said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
That moisture is being pulled northward by an upper-level trough — a low-pressure area in the atmosphere — and the resulting instability may produce thunderstorms and showers, she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
Under current real-estate practices, house hunters can see almost any U.S. home for sale within 24 hours of the property being publicly marketed for sale.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026
He continues in a quiet tone, “It wasn’t until later that I realized I don’t remember ever not being afraid of cops.”
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
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.
