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become
/bɪˈkʌm/
to start to be something
She will become a doctor next year.
She will start being a doctor next year.
general
to start to be something or to change into something
The leaves will become brown in autumn.
The leaves will change to brown in autumn.
He became very famous after his book was published.
He started being very famous after his book was published.
Often used with adjectives or nouns to describe a change in state or identity.
general
to start to be in a particular state or condition
The weather became colder as winter approached.
The weather started to be colder as winter approached.
She became tired after working all day.
She started to be tired after working all day.
Can be used to describe physical or emotional changes.
Collocations
become awareto start to realize or notice somethingbecome clearto start to be understood or obviousbecome knownto start to be recognized or identified
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Become' is often used with adjectives or nouns to describe a change in state or identity.
Gold Rule
Subject-Verb Agreement
'Become' is followed by an adjective or noun, and the subject must agree with the verb.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'becumen', from Old English 'becuman', from Proto-Germanic 'bikwemanan' (to come to, arrive at).
Usage Notes
Often used with adjectives or nouns to describe a change in state or identity. Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Word Breakdown
be-
intensive prefix
prefix-come
to arrive or reach a state
rootEnglish Dictionary