become
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for become, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To start being something different; to change into.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use become
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English becuman, "to happen, arrive, come to be," built from "be-" (around) and "come." The sense of "suit, look good on" developed separately, influenced by a similar-sounding Middle English word meaning "to please."
Full origin of become →Frequently asked questions
What does “become” mean?
The word “become” means to start being something different; to change into. In plain terms, to change into, or turn into, something or someone; less commonly, to suit or flatter.
How do you pronounce “become”?
“Become” is pronounced bih-KUHM (/bɪˈkʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “become” in a sentence?
Here is “become” used in a sentence: “That shade of blue really becomes her.”
What part of speech is “become”?
“Become” is a verb.
Where does the word “become” come from?
The word “become” comes from Old English.
Is “become” a common word?
“Become” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “become” have?
“Become” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to start being something different; to change into.
What is the past tense of become?
The past tense of become is became: 'she became a doctor.' The past participle, used with has or have, is become: 'they have become close friends.' Notice that become does not add -ed; it is an irregular verb, and its past participle looks the same as the base form.
What is the difference between become and get?
Both can describe a change of state, and they often overlap: 'it became dark' and 'it got dark' mean much the same. Become is slightly more formal and works with nouns and adjectives, while get is more casual and usually pairs with adjectives. You become a teacher, but you would not 'get a teacher' in that sense.
What is the difference between become and turn into?
Both describe changing from one thing to another. Become is broader and often gradual: she became confident. Turn into usually suggests a fuller or more dramatic change into something clearly different: the caterpillar turned into a butterfly. Turn into tends to stress the end result, while become can describe change of any size.
What is an example of become?
You might say 'he became a teacher after university,' showing a change in role, or 'the sky became dark,' showing a change in state. Become links a subject to what it changes into, whether a job, a quality, or a condition, as in 'they became friends' or 'it is becoming colder.'