noun
Common
belonging
bih-LO-ngihng
Belonging (noun) means the feeling of being accepted and comfortable within a group or place. Example: “New students often long for a feeling of belonging.”
noun
1
The feeling of being accepted and comfortable within a group or place.
"New students often long for a feeling of belonging."
"The friendly welcome gave him a sense of belonging in the town."
"Joining the choir gave her a real sense of belonging."
2
In the plural, personal possessions.
"He left his belongings in a locker at the station."
"The family packed all their belongings into boxes before the move."
"Please gather your belongings before we land."
How to use belonging
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the feeling of fitting in somewhere, or (usually plural) someone’s personal possessions.
Common mistake
Meaning "possessions," it’s almost always plural — "belongings," not "a belonging."
Common pairings
personal belongings
sense of belonging
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Word forms
- Plural
- belongings
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New students often long for a feeling of _____.
Etymology
Formed from "belong" plus the suffix "-ing."
Related words
Rhymes for belonging
See all rhymes for belonging →Frequently asked questions
What does “belonging” mean?
The word “belonging” means the feeling of being accepted and comfortable within a group or place. In plain terms, either the feeling of fitting in somewhere, or (usually plural) someone’s personal possessions.
How do you pronounce “belonging”?
“Belonging” is pronounced bih-LO-ngihng (/bɪˈlɔŋɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “belonging” in a sentence?
Here is “belonging” used in a sentence: “Joining the choir gave her a real sense of belonging.”
What part of speech is “belonging”?
“Belonging” is a noun.
Is “belonging” a common word?
“Belonging” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “belonging” have?
“Belonging” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the feeling of being accepted and comfortable within a group or place.
What is the difference between belonging and belongings?
Belonging, in the singular, is the feeling of being accepted and comfortable within a group or place — as in "a sense of belonging." Belongings, in the plural, means personal possessions, the things you own. The plural form almost always refers to objects, never to the feeling.
Why is a sense of belonging important?
A sense of belonging — the feeling of being accepted and comfortable within a group or place — is widely treated in psychology as a basic human need, linked to wellbeing, motivation, and mental health. People who feel they belong at school or work consistently report higher engagement and lower stress.
What is the difference between belonging and inclusion?
Inclusion describes what a group does: actively welcoming and involving people. Belonging describes what a person feels: acceptance and comfort within the group. Workplaces often pair the terms because inclusion practices are the means and a sense of belonging is the intended outcome.
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