behave
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for behave, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To act in a particular way, or to act properly and politely.
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.
Antonyms
How to use behave
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
behave yourself
behave well
behave badly
Etymology
From Middle English behaven, built from be- plus "have," in the old sense of "to hold or contain oneself."
Full origin of behave →Frequently asked questions
What does “behave” mean?
The word “behave” means to act in a particular way, or to act properly and politely. In plain terms, to act in a certain way, especially in an acceptable or well-mannered way.
How do you pronounce “behave”?
“Behave” is pronounced bih-HAYV (/bɪˈheɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “behave” in a sentence?
Here is “behave” used in a sentence: “The children behaved well throughout the long flight.”
What part of speech is “behave”?
“Behave” is a verb.
Where does the word “behave” come from?
The word “behave” comes from Middle English. From Middle English behaven, built from be- plus "have," in the old sense of "to hold or contain oneself.".
Is “behave” a common word?
“Behave” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
Can behave be used in a neutral way, or does it always mean to act well?
Behave has both uses. It can neutrally describe how someone or something acts in a particular way, as in "the material behaves differently under heat," and it can mean to act properly, as in "the children behaved." Used alone without an adverb, it usually carries the sense of acting politely.
What is the noun form of behave?
The noun is behavior in American English and behaviour in British English. Both refer to the way a person, animal, or thing acts. The spelling is the only difference; the meaning and usage are identical.
Is it "well behaved" or "well-behaved"?
Use the hyphen when the phrase comes before a noun: a well-behaved dog. After a verb it is commonly written without the hyphen — the dog was well behaved — though many style guides accept the hyphenated form there too. Both describe someone who behaves properly.
What is the difference between behave and behave yourself?
They mean essentially the same thing, but "behave yourself" is more emphatic and is often used as a direct instruction, especially to children. "Behave" on its own can be either an instruction or a neutral description of how someone acts. Both are standard English.
