becoming

American  

[bih-kuhm-ing] / bɪˈkʌm ɪŋ /

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

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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 British  

/ bɪˈkʌmɪŋ /

adjective

1. suitable; appropriate

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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

Etymology

Origin of becoming

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

Example Sentences

One Chicago-based woman has embraced hers, becoming the boss of a successful all-female construction company after three years in prison.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

“Community is becoming more important than capital,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

"Some of these projects may risk becoming 'white elephants,' draining public resources," he added.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

On Aug. 24, 1974, he stole five bases in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, becoming the first NL player to do so since 1904.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Seeing Gloria write her name for the first time, seeing Alfredo read his name for the first time, how incredible to have witnessed them becoming literate.

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar