become

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To start to be something; to change into a particular state.

   It became dark as the sun went down.

2. 2
   verb

   To start to have a particular job or role.

   She studied for years to become a doctor.

3. 3
   verb

   To happen to someone or something (used with 'of').

   Whatever became of your old friend from school?

4. 4
   verb

   To look attractive on someone.

   That blue dress really becomes you.

Common collocations

• become a father Verb + noun
• become a mother Verb + noun
• become a queen Verb + noun
• become a teacher Verb + noun
• become a victim Verb + noun

A compound of the sources of be- + come. From Middle English becomen, bicumen, from Old English becuman (“to come (to), approach, arrive, enter, meet with, fall in with; happen, befall; befit”), from Proto-Germanic *bikwemaną (“to come around, come about, come across, come by”), equivalent to be- (“about, around”) + come. Cognate with Scots becum (“to come, arrive, reach a destination”), North Frisian bekommen, bykommen (“to come by, obtain, receive”), West Frisian bikomme (“to come by, obtain, receive”), Dutch bekomen (“to come by, obtain, receive”), German bekommen (“to get, receive, obtain”…

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images