befit

verb

be·​fit bi-ˈfit How to pronounce befit (audio)
bē-
befitted; befitting

transitive verb

: to be proper or becoming to
clothing that befits the occasion

Examples of befit in a Sentence

She has a mind for serious inquiry, as befits a scientist. spoke politely of the deceased, as befitted the occasion
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Backup quarterback Zach Wilson entered the game late for Miami, in garbage time — a phrase befitting the Dolphins’ entire afternoon. Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025 Rehmeier’s regular cinematographer Jean-Philippe Bernier brings an appropriate warmth to the film’s visual palette, generating a dreamlike tone to the imagery befitting the protagonists’ self-image. Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025 Sixth-generation As befitting a company called the Bavarian Motor Works, BMW has been in the business of designing and building its own electric powertrains for quite some time, in contrast to some rivals that have been buying EV tech from suppliers. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025 But this approach would have also had domestic political repercussions, with influential political and media figures as well as the opposition accusing the government of weakness—and thereby casting India in a poor light not befitting its desire to be a pole in a multipolar world. Happymon Jacob, Time, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for befit

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of befit was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Befit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/befit. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

befit

verb
be·​fit bi-ˈfit How to pronounce befit (audio)
befitted; befitting
: to be suitable to or proper for
clothes befitting the occasion

More from Merriam-Webster on befit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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