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

• come
• get
• go
• grow
• run
• turn
• wax

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

What To Know Giving lottery tickets as a gift has become increasingly popular over the years. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024

Even Moore's micro chihuahua, Pilaf, who's become something of a celebrity in her own right after accompanying Moore on the press tour for The Substance, made an appearance in the final slide of the couple's original engagement post. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 25 Dec. 2024

Focusing on the period between 1961 and 1965—when Dylan first became a big star—the story is told chronologically, and looks at the people who helped him along the way, both musicians like Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) and love interests, like Suze Russo (Elle Fanning) and Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro). —Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 25 Dec. 2024

Over the next twenty-four years, Feminist Bookstore News became a definitive source of information about feminist bookstores, feminist publishing, and feminist literature—as well as delicious gossip about comings and goings of bookwomen, authors, and publishers. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 25 Dec. 2024

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

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