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

---

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

---

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

Explanation

Something that's becoming is charming, or looks good. It's a compliment — or a sales tactic — if a salesperson gushes, "That dress is so becoming on you!" Clothing that's becoming is well-suited to the person wearing it, flattering him and making him look great. You can also use the adjective to mean "appropriate," as when a stern kindergarten teacher scolds, "That behavior is not becoming, boys." In the 13th century, something becoming was "fitting," and by the 1560s it also meant "looking good." The opposite of becoming is unbecoming.

Example Sentences

The 21-year-old produced an impressive fifth-round stoppage win over Jermaine Franklin in March, becoming the first fighter to stop the American in 27 professional bouts.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

Denver and Honolulu are becoming more accessible to the average home buyer, some of the few bright spots in a still-forbidding housing market.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

The current way of waging war is becoming increasingly unsustainable for the Russian state, especially as the country’s economic troubles make it more difficult to find money to sign up new recruits.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

Cimarusti said it was becoming more difficult to charge prices in his more casual restaurant that reflected the true cost of his burgers and lobster rolls.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

The bigger Lippmann’s short position grew, the greater the implicit expression of contempt for these people and their industry—an industry quickly becoming Wall Street’s most profitable business.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis