become

verb

be·​come bi-ˈkəm How to pronounce become (audio)
bē-
became bi-ˈkām How to pronounce become (audio)
bē-
 ; become; becoming
Synonyms of becomenext

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
see also:
become of

Synonyms of become

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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
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.
Itauma had become a shell of the heavyweight who’d answered the opening bell with such vim and vigour. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Now that summer will soon become fall, a pair of cropped pants feels like the perfect transitional style. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026 What starts quietly soon becomes one of the most scenic stretches of the entire resort. — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Under his ownership, Vermejo became a sweeping ecological restoration project. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for become

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of become was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing become

Rhymes for become

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Browse Nearby Words

becloud
become
becomed
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Cite this Entry

“Become.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/become. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

become

verb
be·​come bi-ˈkəm How to pronounce become (audio)
became -ˈkām How to pronounce become (audio) ; 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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