belong
bih-LONG
Belong (verb) means to be rightfully owned by someone. Example: “This jacket belongs to my brother.”
verb
1
To be rightfully owned by someone.
"This jacket belongs to my brother."
"Those muddy boots belong to the gardener, not to me."
"Does this umbrella belong to anyone here?"
2
To be a proper or accepted member of a group or place.
"She finally felt like she belonged at her new school."
"These plates belong in the top cupboard."
"He joined the chess club and finally felt he belonged somewhere."
How to use belong
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo be owned by someone, or to fit properly into a place or group.
Common pairings
belong to
belong here
sense of belonging
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- belongs
- Past tense
- belonged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
This jacket _____ to my brother.
Etymology
From Middle English belongen, combining "be-" with an Old English word meaning "to pertain to" or "be fitting."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for belong
See all rhymes for belong →Frequently asked questions
What does “belong” mean?
The word “belong” means to be rightfully owned by someone. In plain terms, to be owned by someone, or to fit properly into a place or group.
How do you pronounce “belong”?
“Belong” is pronounced bih-LONG (/bɪˈlɔŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “belong” in a sentence?
Here is “belong” used in a sentence: “This jacket belongs to my brother.”
What part of speech is “belong”?
“Belong” is a verb.
Where does the word “belong” come from?
The word “belong” comes from Old English. From Middle English belongen, combining "be-" with an Old English word meaning "to pertain to" or "be fitting.".
Is “belong” a common word?
“Belong” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “belong” have?
“Belong” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to be rightfully owned by someone.
What is the difference between "belong to" and "belong in"?
"Belong to" expresses ownership or membership: "The car belongs to my sister," "She belongs to a choir." "Belong in" says where something is properly placed or suited: "These plates belong in the cupboard." Use "to" for owners and groups, and "in" for the right place.
What is the difference between "belong to" and "belong with"?
"Belong to" marks ownership or membership, while "belong with" suggests that something or someone naturally fits alongside another: "This lid belongs with that jar," "You belong with people who value you." "Belong with" emphasizes pairing rather than possession.
Can belong be used in continuous tenses?
No. In standard English, belong is a stative verb and is not normally used in the continuous form. Say "This book belongs to me," not "This book is belonging to me." The simple tenses cover both the ownership and membership senses.
What is the difference between belong and own?
The two verbs describe the same relationship from opposite directions. The owner is the subject of own ("I own this house"), while the thing owned is the subject of belong ("This house belongs to me"). Belong also has a wider sense of fitting into a group or place that own does not share.
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