behave

verb

be·​have bi-ˈhāv 

bē-

behaved; behaving

transitive verb

1

: to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way

2

: to conduct (oneself) in a proper manner

getting children to behave themselves

intransitive verb

1

: to act, function, or react in a particular way

He behaves like a child.

testing how various metals behave under heat and pressure

2

: to conduct oneself properly

Please behave.

behaver noun

Synonyms

• acquit
• bear
• carry
• comport
• conduct
• demean
• deport
• quit

Choose the Right Synonym for behave

behave, conduct, deport, comport, acquit mean to act or to cause oneself to do something in a certain way.

behave may apply to the meeting of a standard of what is proper or decorous.

the children behaved in church

conduct implies action or behavior that shows the extent of one's power to control or direct oneself.

conducted herself with unfailing good humor

deport implies behaving so as to show how far one conforms to conventional rules of discipline or propriety.

the hero deported himself in accord with the code of chivalry

comport suggests conduct measured by what is expected or required of one in a certain class or position.

comported themselves as gentlemen

acquit applies to action under stress that deserves praise or meets expectations.

acquitted herself well in her first assignment

Examples of behave in a Sentence

If you can't behave in the store we'll have to leave.

If you can't behave yourself in the store we'll have to leave.

I wish those children would behave themselves.

He behaves like a child!

The experiment tested how various metals behave under heat and pressure.

Recent Examples on the Web

Secondly, for several years the Treasury market has been behaving strangely, for reasons that have nothing to do with tariffs or trade policy. —George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025

Yet another point in this episode hanging on these professionals behaving in ways that just didn’t track with their actual experience. —Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 23 May 2025

The scores range from 6 to 10, with 8, 9 and 10 prostate cancers behaving more aggressively. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 20 May 2025

Internet users can't cope with a cat who behaves just like his dog sister and wants to be around her all the time—leaving her with zero personal space in return. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English behaven, from be- be- + haven "to have entry 1, hold"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for behave

• agave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• engrave
• enslave
• forgave
• landgrave
• margrave
• shortwave
• aftershave
• architrave

Kids Definition

behave

verb

be·​have bi-ˈhāv 

behaved; behaving

1

: to conduct oneself

behaved badly at the meeting

2

: to conduct oneself properly

please behave

3

: to act, function, or react in a particular way

how metals behave under heat and pressure

Medical Definition

behave

verb

be·​have bi-ˈhāv 

behaved; behaving

transitive verb

: to bear or conduct (oneself) in a particular way

intransitive verb

: to act, function, or react in a particular way