belong

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.

“Belong” is pronounced bih-LONG (/bɪˈlɔŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “belong” used in a sentence: “This jacket belongs to my brother.”

“Belong” is a verb.

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.".

“Belong” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Belong” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to be rightfully owned by someone.

"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.

"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.

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.

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.