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

Alonso, who became the all-time Mets home run leader in August, must now endure another winter of free agency rumors. —Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025

Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. —Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025

This past February, in New Orleans, Kendrick Lamar played the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, becoming the first rapper to headline the event as a solo artist. —Walden Green, Pitchfork, 29 Sep. 2025

Overall, the study shows how age and age-related disease can become decoupled. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 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