belong

[bih-lawng, -long]

verb (used without object)

1. to be in the relation of a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc. (usually followed byto ).

   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.

3. 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

1. belong to

   1. to be the property of.

      The book belongs to her.

   2. to be a part or adjunct of.

      That cover belongs to this jar.

belong

/ bɪˈlɒŋ /

verb

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

3. to be classified (with)

   this plant belongs to the daisy family

4. (foll by to) to be a part or adjunct (of)

   this top belongs to the smaller box

5. to have a proper or usual place

   that plate belongs in the cupboard

6. informal,  to be suitable or acceptable, esp socially

   although they were rich, they just didn't belong

Word History and Origins

Origin of belong¹

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. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of belong¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see to the victor belong the spoils.

Example Sentences

“Whenever a song of hers comes on at our party, people start screaming, they’re jumping onstage. That feeling of tangibly belonging to a community is what Futch was born out of.”

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“None of our belongings at all were covered. Nothing. Zero dollars.”

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Pieces of pottery and other evidence found inside the sprawling underground tomb revealed that it belonged to Thutmose II, a young pharaoh who died an untimely death more than three millennia ago.

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“Wherever you are,” a more confident gay soldier tells Cam, “act like you belong.”

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Brought over to Arm & Hammer in 1867 from Vulcan Spice Mills, that arm belongs to Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.

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Related Words

• apply 
• exist 
• fit 
• reside