belong
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to be in the relation of a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc. (usually followed byto ).
He belongs to the Knights of Columbus.
-
to have the proper qualifications, especially social qualifications, to be a member of a group.
You don't belong in this club.
-
to be proper or due; be properly or appropriately placed, situated, etc..
Books belong in every home. This belongs on the shelf. He is a statesman who belongs among the great.
verb phrase
verb
-
(foll by to) to be the property or possession (of)
-
(foll by to) to be bound to (a person, place, or club) by ties of affection, dependence, allegiance, or membership
-
to be classified (with)
this plant belongs to the daisy family
-
(foll by to) to be a part or adjunct (of)
this top belongs to the smaller box
-
to have a proper or usual place
that plate belongs in the cupboard
-
informal to be suitable or acceptable, esp socially
although they were rich, they just didn't belong
Etymology
Origin of belong
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English belongen, from be- be- + longen “to belong,” verb derivative of long (adjective), Old English gelang “belonging to, dependent on”; along ( def. ), long 3 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Despite strong résumés and long lists of achievements, they worry that others will eventually realize they do not truly belong.
From Science Daily
Having a consistent space provides employees with stability and a sense of belonging, rather than navigating the uncertainty of finding a spot each day.
In interview, he told police he had wanted a sense of "belonging and affirmation".
From BBC
The property is adjacent to a 17-acre meadow preserve belonging to the Nature Conservancy.
From MarketWatch
The research shows that these temperature cues influence how strongly people experience their bodies as belonging to them.
From Science Daily
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
