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

But rather than extricate themselves by any means short of actually calling the police, they sink deeper and deeper into an all-consuming situation, their efforts to survive becoming increasingly extreme, never mind unlikely.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Some have since been worked into functional items, with his giant tape measure becoming a coffee table and a big plug turned into a cupboard.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Her team is also becoming cautious on stock markets in Europe and India that are more sensitive to energy disruptions.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Ayala, 16, said he’s moving his graduation date up to preserve his arm and take a look at becoming a professional after high school.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

We could hear that Marlene was becoming frantic again, and Karli was out there, shouting at him to clear off.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo