Word
belong
Phoneticsbe·long, stress on the second syllable
US/bɪˈɫɔŋ/
UK/bɪlˈɒŋ/
Definitions
01ownership
A2 · Elementary
v. to be the property of someone.
v. to be the property of a person or entity; used with the preposition 'to'.
“Does this umbrella belong to you, or did someone leave it behind?”
“The disputed territory has belonged to the crown for centuries, though recent legal challenges have questioned the validity of the original deed.”
Usage
Always used with 'to' when indicating an owner.
Pitfall
This book is belonging to me.
This book belongs to me.
The verb 'belong' is a stative verb and is rarely used in the continuous (-ing) form.
Synonyms
02membership
A2 · Elementary
v. to be a member of a group, club, or organization.
v. to be a member of a particular group, organization, or social class.
“She belongs to a local swimming club that meets every Tuesday.”
“He never felt that he truly belonged to the academic elite, despite his significant contributions to the field of linguistics.”
Usage
Usually followed by 'to' and a noun phrase representing the group.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03proper place
B1 · Intermediate
v. to be in the right or natural position.
v. to be in a correct, proper, or appropriate location or situation.
Español:pertenecer [with en or a]
“The forks belong in the top drawer next to the knives.”
“After years of travelling, she finally found a small coastal town where she felt she truly belonged.”
Usage
Often followed by a preposition of place like 'in', 'on', or 'under'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
04mathematics
C1 · Advanced Mathematics Technical
v. to be a part of a set of numbers or objects.
v. to be an element of a mathematical set.
“In this equation, the variable x belongs to the set of real numbers.”
“The proof demonstrates that any integer satisfying these conditions must necessarily belong to the subset of prime numbers.”
Usage
Used with 'to' to indicate set membership.
Etymology
From Middle English belongen, bilongen, from Middle English be- + longen (“to be fitting, be suitable”), from Old English langian (“to pertain to, suit”), equivalent to be- + long (“to belong”). Compare Saterland Frisian beloangje (“to attain, reach, meet”), Dutch belangen (“to concern”), German belangen (“to sue, concern”).
Compare Australian Kriol blanga, Bislama blong, Tok Pisin bilong, and Torres Strait Creole blong.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- 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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QR code
englishreference.com/q/belong
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0