behove

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

Also spelled behoove

US /bɪˈhoʊv/ UK /bɪˈhəʊv/ See IPA manual

Freq #150688

Meanings

1

verb
formal: to be necessary, proper, or advantageous for someone

It behoves every witness to describe only what they actually saw.
2

verb
archaic: to be fitting for or appropriate to a person or position

Such restraint behoves a judge entrusted with great authority.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · formal: to be necessary,... befit suit

2 verb · archaic: to be fitting for... befit become

Opposites

misbecome

Word family

Forms behoovesbehoved

Derived forms behovedbehoving

Related forms behoovebehoof

Etymology

From Middle English behoven and Old English behofian, meaning to need or be necessary, from a Germanic family also represented by Dutch behoeven. It is related to behoof, meaning benefit or advantage. Behoove is the usual American spelling variant.

Topics

Actions & Processes Register & Style

External links

markdown