# come into

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/come-into
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to receive money, property, or a title after someone dies.

For teachers: to inherit money or property, typically as a result of a death; functions as a transitive phrasal verb.

## Examples

- She came into a lot of money when her grandfather died.
- After his uncle passed away, he unexpectedly came into a large estate in the countryside.
- The protagonist's life changes dramatically when he comes into a substantial fortune, forcing him to navigate the complexities of high society.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He came into of a fortune." but "He came into a fortune." — the verb 'come into' does not require the preposition 'of' before the object.

## Usage notes

- the object is almost always a sum of money, a fortune, or property.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'inherit' (more formal) and ensure students don't confuse it with the literal sense of entering a room.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
