Word
become
Phoneticsbe·come, stress on the second syllable
US/bɪˈkəm/
UK/bɪkˈʌm/
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
become
Past
became
Past participle
become
Definitions
01to start being
A1 · Beginner
v. to start to be something or to change into something else.
v. to come to be or undergo a change in state, character, or condition. Functions as a copular verb followed by an adjective or noun phrase.
日本語:なる※
“The weather became very cold as soon as the sun went down.”
“After years of dedicated research and clinical practice, she eventually became a leading expert in the field of pediatric neurology.”
02to look good on
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to look attractive on someone or to suit their style.
v. to be aesthetically pleasing or attractive on a person. Transitive; the person being complemented is the direct object.
日本語:似合う※
“That shade of dark blue really becomes you.”
“The diplomat's reserved manner became him well, lending an air of quiet authority to his opening remarks.”
03to be appropriate
C1 · Advanced Formal · Literary
v. to be the right or proper way for someone to behave.
v. to be appropriate, proper, or befitting to a person or social role.
“It does not become a student to be so rude to a teacher.”
“Such aggressive outbursts do not become a person of your professional standing and reputation.”
Teaching tip
This sense is often used in the negative ('it does not become you') to criticize someone's behavior as beneath their dignity.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “become” in context.
Usage
Linking verb — followed by a noun phrase or an adjective. It is never used in the passive voice.
Pitfall
He became to be a teacher
He became a teacher
Become is followed directly by a noun or adjective; it does not take an infinitive like 'to be'.
Etymology
A compound of the sources of be- + come. From Middle English becomen, bicumen, from Old English becuman (“to come (to), approach, arrive, enter, meet with, fall in with; happen, befall; befit”), from Proto-Germanic *bikwemaną (“to come around, come about, come across, come by”), equivalent to be- (“about, around”) + come. Cognate with Scots becum (“to come, arrive, reach a destination”), North Frisian bekommen, bykommen (“to come by, obtain, receive”), West Frisian bikomme (“to come by, obtain, receive”), Dutch bekomen (“to come by, obtain, receive”), German bekommen (“to get, receive, obtain”), Swedish bekomma (“to receive, concern”), Gothic 𐌱𐌹𐌵𐌹𐌼𐌰𐌽 (biqiman, “to come upon one, befall”). Sense of "befit, suit" due to influence from Middle English cweme, icweme, see queem. Displaced Old English weorþan.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. become of
02. become one flesh
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/become
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0