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”…

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