English Reference

Word

behave

Phoneticsbe·have, stress on the second syllable

US/bɪˈheɪv/

UK/bɪhˈeɪv/

Definitions

01to act in a certain way

A2 · Elementary

v. to act or conduct yourself in a particular manner, usually described by an adverb.

v. to conduct oneself in a specified way. This sense is intransitive and requires an adverbial of manner.

“The children behaved very well during the long wedding ceremony.”

“The materials behaved exactly as the engineers predicted under extreme pressure, showing no signs of structural fatigue during the initial testing phase.”

Usage

Usually followed by an adverb like 'well', 'badly', or 'differently'.

Synonyms

actconduct oneself

02to be good or polite

A2 · Elementary

v. to act in a way that is polite or follows the rules.

v. to conduct oneself in a socially acceptable or polite manner. When used without an adverb, the positive meaning is implied.

“If you don't behave, we will have to leave the restaurant early.”

“The teacher promised the class a reward at the end of the week if they continued to behave during the guest speaker's presentations.”

Usage

Can be used alone or with a reflexive pronoun like 'behave yourself'.

Pitfall

I told the boy to behave himself well.

I told the boy to behave himself.

When using 'behave' to mean 'be good', you do not need the word 'well' if you use a reflexive pronoun like 'himself'.

Synonyms

be goodmind one's manners

Antonyms

misbehave

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “behave” in context.

01. similarly behave

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁ep-der. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epsder. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epider. Proto-Indo-European *h₁pi Proto-Germanic *bider. Proto-Germanic *bi- Proto-West Germanic *bi- Proto-Indo-European *kap-der. Proto-Germanic *habjaną Proto-West Germanic *habbjan Proto-West Germanic *bihabbjan Old English behabban Middle English behaven English behave From Middle English behaven, bihabben (“to restrain, behave”), from Old English behabban (“to surround, embrace, hold, contain, hold back, withhold, restrain”), from Proto-West Germanic *bihabbjan, equivalent to be- + have. Cognate with Middle Low German behebben, behāven (“to receive, acquire, reach, keep”), Low German behebben (“to act, behave”), German behaben (“to behave”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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