Showing results for "becoming"

• present participle of become.

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

• becomingness
  noun
• well-becoming
  adjective
• becomingly
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of becoming

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

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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

See Examples For:

becoming

Peltola, 53, grew up fishing salmon with her father, later becoming the first person born in the state to actually represent it in Congress.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026

Managing body weight may help slow cognitive decline, with possible benefits becoming apparent within just two years.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2026

Raman decided to challenge Councilmember David Ryu for reelection in 2020, becoming the first candidate in 17 years to unseat an incumbent City Council member.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026

“Folks are becoming more discerning about which participants are winners and losers, and asking tougher questions,” said Dave Olsen, president of Jump.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026

Certainly public arrests, with no attempt to conceal what was happening, were becoming more frequent.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

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