belong

[ bih-lawng, -long ]
See synonyms for belong on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object)
  1. to be in the relation of a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc. (usually followed by to): He belongs to the Knights of Columbus.

  2. to have the proper qualifications, especially social qualifications, to be a member of a group: You don't belong in this club.

  1. 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 Phrases
  1. belong to,

    • to be the property of: The book belongs to her.

    • to be a part or adjunct of: That cover belongs to this jar.

Origin of belong

1
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”; cf. along, long3

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use belong in a sentence

  • No, here V. Vivian seemed to belong to-day, the best and worthiest thing in the room.

    V. V.'s Eyes | Henry Sydnor Harrison
  • Old world ways and past generation ideas do not belong to-day in either teacher or pupil, and, therefore, are to drop out.

    Seed Thoughts for Singers | Frank Herbert Tubbs

British Dictionary definitions for belong

belong

/ (bɪˈlɒŋ) /


verb(intr)
  1. (foll by to) to be the property or possession (of)

  2. (foll by to) to be bound to (a person, place, or club) by ties of affection, dependence, allegiance, or membership

  1. (foll by to, under, with, etc) to be classified (with): this plant belongs to the daisy family

  2. (foll by to) to be a part or adjunct (of): this top belongs to the smaller box

  3. to have a proper or usual place: that plate belongs in the cupboard

  4. informal to be suitable or acceptable, esp socially: although they were rich, they just didn't belong

Origin of belong

1
C14 belongen, from be- (intensive) + longen; related to Old High German bilangēn to reach; see long ³

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with belong

belong

see to the victor belong the spoils.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.