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

The work produced in those early years became as instantly iconic and revered in the world of comics as that of Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and Stan Lee in Marvel’s 1960s Silver Age. —Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

The designer just signed a multiyear partnership to become the official apparel brand of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, the first new addition to the racing competition since 2016. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 17 June 2025

In an entertainment world no longer dominated by linear TV, every league is hungry to become the center of conversations du jour. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 17 June 2025

But after a few months, purchases started to become larger and more frequent. —Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 17 June 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