become

verb

be·​come bi-ˈkəm 

bē-

became bi-ˈkām 

bē-

; become; becoming

intransitive verb

1

a

: to come into existence

b

: to come to be

become sick

They both became teachers.

2

: to undergo change or development

The pain was becoming more intense.

transitive verb

: to be suitable to

seriousness becoming the occasion

especially : to be becoming to

her clothes become her

Phrases

become of

: to happen to

wondering whatever became of old friends

Synonyms

• grow
• get
• go
• come
• turn

Examples of become in a Sentence

Although I've known him for years, we didn't become close friends until recently.

She won the election, becoming the first woman to be President of the nation.

The book has become quite popular.

We became interested in the property last year.

The crackers had become stale.

It eventually became clear that he had lied.

This kind of behavior hardly becomes a person of your age and position.

Recent Examples on the Web

As wildfires become more frequent and severe across the state, like the Dragon Bravo megafire that has burned over 145,000 acres near the Grand Canyon, the reforestation efforts are more important than ever. —John Leos, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025

The Packers have made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons and five times since Matt LaFleur became the coach in 2019. —Michael Silver, New York Times, 29 Aug. 2025

In a world increasingly divided between different visions of artificial intelligence, Malaysia's potential for hybrid independence could become the most important technology story of the decade. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Every time a criminal case is finalized, records become releasable under Idaho’s Public Records Act, with a few exceptions. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to come to, become, from Old English becuman, from be- + cuman to come

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing become

• be/become one's own man
• become/come unstuck
• destined to become a classic

Rhymes for become

• checksum
• humdrum
• income
• outcome
• succumb
• therefrom
• wherefrom
• abomasum
• bum
• chum
• come
• crum

Kids Definition

become

verb

be·​come bi-ˈkəm 

became -ˈkām  ; become; becoming

1

: to come or grow to be

a tadpole becomes a frog

the days become shorter as summer ends

2

: to look well on : suit

her suit becomes her