be
12 synonyms for be, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To exist or to have a certain identity, quality, or state.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Old English "bēon," combined over time with two other Old English verbs ("wesan" and forms giving us "am," "is," "are") that all meant roughly "to exist" — which is why "be" has such an unusually irregular set of forms (am, is, are, was, were, been).
Full origin of be →Frequently asked questions
What does “be” mean?
The word “be” means to exist or to have a certain identity, quality, or state. In plain terms, the most basic verb in English, used to state what something is, or to help build other verb tenses.
How do you pronounce “be”?
“Be” is pronounced BEE (/ˈbiː/ in IPA).
How do you use “be” in a sentence?
Here is “be” used in a sentence: “She wants to be a doctor one day.”
What is another word for “be”?
Words with a similar meaning to “be” include get.
What part of speech is “be”?
“Be” is a verb.
Where does the word “be” come from?
The word “be” comes from Old English.
Is “be” a common word?
“Be” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “be” have?
“Be” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to exist or to have a certain identity, quality, or state.
What are the different forms of the verb "be"?
"Be" is the most irregular verb in English, with eight forms: be, am, is, are, was, were, being, and been. Which form you use depends on the subject and the tense: "I am", "she is", "they were", "we have been."
When is "be" used as a helping (auxiliary) verb?
"Be" combines with other verbs to form continuous tenses ("she is running", "they were waiting") and the passive voice ("the window was broken", "the results are being checked"). In these uses it carries the tense while the main verb carries the meaning.
What is the difference between "be" and "become"?
"Be" describes a state or identity that exists: "he is a doctor." "Become" describes a change into that state: "he became a doctor." Once the change is complete, "be" takes over: "she became famous, and now she is famous."
Why do we say "that he be" in sentences like "They insisted that he be on time"?
This is the subjunctive, used after verbs of demanding, suggesting, and requiring, such as insist, recommend, request, and suggest. The base form "be" replaces "is" or "are" in the that-clause: "It's essential that everyone be informed." It also survives in fixed phrases like "so be it."
