ENGLISH
REFERENCE

belonging

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //bɪˈɫɔŋɪŋ// UK //bɪlˈɒŋɪŋ// be·long·ing Archaic Informal

n. the happy feeling of being accepted and fitting in with a group of people. It is about feeling like you are in the right place.

n. a sense of social or emotional connection to a group, place, or community. Often used to describe the psychological state of being an integral part of a collective.


SIMPLE

The new student felt a sense of belonging in the club.

CONTEXTUAL

Creating a culture of belonging is essential for keeping employees happy and productive at work.

COMPLEX

Sociologists argue that the digital age has fundamentally altered our sense of belonging, shifting it from local neighborhoods to global online communities based on shared interests.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From belong + -ing.

Etymology 2

From Middle English belonginge, belanging, belangand, equivalent to belong + -ing.

Usage

Commonly follows the phrase 'a sense of' or 'a feeling of'.

Pitfall

I packed my belonging in the suitcase.I packed my belongings in the suitcase.When referring to physical possessions, the word must be plural ('belongings'). The singular form refers only to the abstract feeling of fitting in.

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