Become: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŒฑ
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become

 

[bษชหˆkสŒm ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

to transform into

1. Begin to be. 2. Experience a change in condition. 3. Turn into. 4. Come into existence. 5. Pass into a specified state. 6. Assume a specified state. 7. Grow or come to be.

Synonyms

develop into, evolve into, grow into, transform into, turn into.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
become

Used for general transformations or changes, often referring to a new state or role achieved.

  • She became a doctor after many years of study.
  • Over the years, the small town became a bustling city.
turn into

Typically used for changes in state or condition, can imply both negative or neutral transformations.

  • She turned into a strict teacher after her promotion.
  • The milk turned into yogurt after fermentation.
grow into

Often used to describe natural development or adaptation, especially in terms of maturity or fitting into a role.

  • He grew into a responsible and caring adult.
  • The puppy grew into a large dog.
transform into

Indicates a significant or dramatic change, often sudden, and can be used for both positive and negative transformations.

  • The caterpillar transformed into a beautiful butterfly.
  • Overnight, the peaceful town transformed into a war zone.
develop into

Implies a process of gradual change or improvement, often referring to personal or professional growth.

  • With hard work, he developed into a skilled musician.
  • The company developed into one of the leading tech firms.
evolve into

Suggests a slow and natural progression, often used for more complex or sophisticated changes.

  • The startup evolved into a multinational corporation.
  • Their friendship evolved into a deep romantic relationship.

Examples of usage

  • He became angry when he heard the news.
  • The caterpillar will become a butterfly.
  • She became a successful businesswoman.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • This word comes from the Old English word 'becuman', which means 'to come to', showing a sense of arrival or transformation.
  • Its roots can also be traced back to Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European words that refer to 'coming' and 'becoming'.

Cultural Significance

  • 'Become' often appears in literature and film as a theme of transformation, reflecting personal growth or change in identity.
  • In many cultures, the journey of becoming is celebrated through rites of passage, marking significant transitions in life.

Psychology

  • The process of becoming can be linked to self-actualization, a concept where individuals reach their full potential through personal growth.
  • Cognitive behavior encourages focusing on who you want to become, emphasizing the power of choices in shaping one's identity.

Literature

  • Famous works often explore themes of becoming, such as 'Metamorphosis' by Franz Kafka, where transformation becomes a central element of the human experience.
  • Character development in novels frequently hinges on the protagonists' journey of becoming, highlighting their struggles and triumphs.

Science

  • In biology, the process of development is often described as organisms becoming more complex through growth and adaptation.
  • The theory of evolution illustrates how species become adapted to their environments over millions of years, emphasizing gradual change.

Translations

Translations of the word "become" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น tornar-se

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเคจเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช werden

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menjadi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัั‚ะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ staฤ‡ siฤ™

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใชใ‚‹

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท devenir

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ convertirse

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท olmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋˜๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠุตุจุญ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ stรกt se

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ staลฅ sa

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆˆไธบ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ postati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ verรฐa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะพะปัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ˜แƒฅแƒ›แƒœแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ olmaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ convertirse

Word Frequency Rank

With position #237, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.