Belonged Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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belonged

[bɪˈlɔŋd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

past tense

Belonged is the past tense of belong, which means to be the property of or to be a part of something. It indicates ownership or a sense of association with a person, group, or place.

Synonyms

owned, possessed, was part of.

Examples of usage

  • She belonged to the local community center.
  • The book belonged to my grandfather.
  • He felt he belonged to the team after the first game.
  • This painting belonged to a famous artist.

Translations

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Origin of 'belonged'

The word 'belong' originates from the Old English 'belungan', which means 'to be long to', or 'to be in the company of'. The prefix 'be-' is often used in Old English to form verbs, suggesting the sense of being around or near. 'Long' in this context is derived from the word 'lang', which referred to duration or stretching over a period. Over the centuries, the term evolved through various forms and usages in Middle English before taking its modern shape. Historically, the idea of belonging encompasses both physical possession and emotional connection, reflecting the innate human desire for community and identity.


Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,999, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.