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

• grow
• get
• go
• come
• turn

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

Since Mahomes became the organization’s starting quarterback in 2018, the Chiefs have faced fourth down with at least three yards to go from inside the 10-yard line some 25 times in the first halves of their games. —Sam McDowell 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025

The oldest living hostage still held in Gaza, his father, Dani Miran, has become a leading advocate for the hostages' release. —Itay Stern, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025

As time went on, Gatlin became more daring. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025

Designed by architect Myron Hunt, the Ambassador Hotel opened in 1921 — back when that portion of mid-Wilshire was the outskirts of town — and soon became the glamorous playground of the rich and famous. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Oct. 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