become

[bih-kuhm]

verb (used without object)

became, become, becoming. 

1. to come, change, or grow to be (as specified).

   He became tired.

2. to come into being.

verb (used with object)

became, become, becoming. 

1. to be attractive on; befit in appearance; look well on.

   That gown becomes you.

2. to be suitable or necessary to the dignity, situation, or responsibility of.

   conduct that becomes an officer.

become

/ bɪˈkʌm /

verb

1. (copula) to come to be; develop or grow into

   he became a monster

2. (foll by of; usually used in a question) to fall to or be the lot (of); happen (to)

   what became of him?

3. (tr) (of clothes, etc) to enhance the appearance of (someone); suit

   that dress becomes you

4. (tr) to be appropriate; befit

   it ill becomes you to complain

Word History and Origins

Origin of become¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English becumen, Old English becuman “to come about, happen”; cognate with Dutch bekomen, German bekommen, Gothic biqiman. See be-, come

Word History and Origins

Origin of become¹

Old English becuman to happen; related to Old High German biqueman to come to, Gothic biquiman to appear suddenly

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. become of, to happen to; be the fate of.

   What will become of him?

More idioms and phrases containing become

• get

Example Sentences

Slash has become such a Halloween Horror Nights fixture that this year will feature a bar centered around the artist, one complete with a mini top hat as a dessert.

From Los Angeles Times

In a political climate where every cultural figure can become instantly polarizing, Oasis’ reunion was the closest thing the U.K. got to a national consensus.

From Los Angeles Times

At the time it was LAX’s first major beautification project since the 1984 Olympics, with an aim of it becoming “as much a symbol of Los Angeles as the Hollywood sign.”

From Los Angeles Times

That strategy, while effective in the past, is becoming harder in this case.

From BBC

Get them wrong or do them too often and a government's progress can become jolty and piecemeal, and the backbench battalion of the disgruntled grows larger.

From BBC

Related Words

• come 
• develop into www.thesaurus.com
• grow into 
• turn into www.thesaurus.com