become

American  

[bih-kuhm] / bɪˈkʌm /

verb (used without object)

became, become, becoming

1. to come, change, or grow to be (as specified).

   He became tired.

2. to come into being.

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verb (used with object)

became, become, becoming

1. to be attractive on; befit in appearance; look well on.

   That gown becomes you.

2. to be suitable or necessary to the dignity, situation, or responsibility of.

   conduct that becomes an officer.

idioms

1. become of, to happen to; be the fate of.

   What will become of him?

become British  

/ bɪˈkʌm /

verb

1. (copula) to come to be; develop or grow into

   he became a monster

2. (foll by of; usually used in a question) to fall to or be the lot (of); happen (to)

   what became of him?

3. (tr) (of clothes, etc) to enhance the appearance of (someone); suit

   that dress becomes you

4. (tr) to be appropriate; befit

   it ill becomes you to complain

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become More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing become

• get

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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

Explanation

To become is to evolve, change into, or emerge as something. A fertilized egg will hatch and the tiny chick will become a full-grown chicken. When you become angrier and angrier watching the TV news, you begin to feel a certain way. Likewise, when Pinocchio the wooden puppet becomes a real boy in the fairy tale, he changes from toy to human. The word become can also mean "learn how to be" or "be qualified for," as when you dream that some day you'll become an astronaut. The Old English becuman has these meanings, and also "meet with" or "arrive."

Example Sentences

Questions also persist about the valuations in those funds, even if they haven’t become as acute as those facing private credit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Chinese consumers haven’t suddenly become obsessed with cute toys or pampered pets.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

So-called amyloid-beta antibodies have recently become available for the treatment of Alzheimer's.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2026

Data from Vanda Research and others have shown that retail buying has been subdued lately, robbing the market of what had become a critical source of demand for stocks.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

It had never been done before, but perhaps the Afterlife would allow it, after seeing what a brilliant team they’d become.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Related Words

• come
• develop into
• grow into
• turn into