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

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

Indeed, bulls will be hoping 1982 repeats itself, because, despite becoming so swiftly overbought in 1982, from the August trough that year the market surged 69% over the next 14 months, according to Emanuel.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

Still, AI video is becoming part of everyday online life—particularly in China, but also in the U.S. as the two superpowers influence each other.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Along the way, the YouTube livestream is becoming something closer to a central version of Coachella itself.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

"Agave worms are still fairly common, but the impact of mezcal becoming popular can have long-term negative effects on local populations because they are harvested in the wild," Kawahara said.

From Science Daily • Apr. 26, 2026

“I never said I hate you. You’re the one who hates me. You’re mad I’m becoming friends with JP.”

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas