become
gb/bɪkˈʌm/ us/bɪkˈʌm/
A2
English
~ 200
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
event
1
Begin to be something
To start to be something or change into a new state.
Usage pattern:
to become [adjective/noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'become' with 'get'. While both can show change, 'become' is more formal and often used with nouns and adjectives, not with past participles for simple actions.
Synonyms
turn into (More informal and often used for physical or complete transformations.)
|
grow into (Often used for gradual personal or skill development.)
Antonyms
remain (Means staying in the same state or condition instead of changing.)
|
stay (Informal equivalent of 'remain'.)
Collocations
become famous
|become a teacher
|become clear
|become interested
|become difficult
Themes
change
|personal development
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She became a doctor after years of study.
- It’s becoming cold outside.
- He became very upset when he heard the news.
- This street has become much busier recently.
- The problem became clear after we checked the data.
Learner examples
- I want to become a teacher.
- The sky became dark.
- He became happy when he saw his friend.
- It became hot in the room.
- She became sick after eating bad food.
Verb
B2
state
2
Suit or look good on someone
To make someone look good or match their style or character.
Usage pattern:
[something] becomes [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with 'become' meaning 'start to be'. In this sense, it does not mean 'change', but rather 'look good on'.
Synonyms
suit (Common in everyday speech for clothing or styles that are appropriate.)
|
flatter (Emphasizes making someone look attractive.)
Antonyms
clash with (Means not matching in style or color.)
|
detract from (Means to reduce attractiveness or suitability.)
Collocations
That dress becomes you
|The color becomes her
|Short hair becomes him
Themes
appearance
|fashion
|clothing
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- That shade of blue really becomes you.
- The calm leadership role becomes him well.
- This hairstyle becomes her better than the old one.
Learner examples
- This shirt becomes you.
- Red becomes her.
- Long hair becomes him.
Grammar
Dictionary form
become
IPA
GB/bɪkˈʌm/
US/bɪkˈʌm/
Syllables & stress
be - come (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (come)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: become
- 3rd Person Singular: becomes
- Present Participle: becoming
- Past: became
- Past Participle: become
Word family
Forms
becomes
verb
becoming
verb
became
verb
Negative and opposite forms
unbecoming
adjective B2
Highlights
- Irregular past: became Verb
- Irregular past participle: become Verb
Expressions
become a reality
1/bɪkˈʌm ə ɹiˈæləti/
fixed phrase
Turn into something real
To actually happen after being only an idea or plan before.
Examples
- Her dream of owning a bakery has become a reality.
- The plan finally became a reality after years of work.
become clear
1/bɪkˈʌm klˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
Start to be easy to understand
To start to be easy to see or understand.
Examples
- It soon became clear that we were lost.
- The reason for his absence became clear later.
become of
1/bɪkˈʌm əv/
fixed phrase
Happen to someone or something
Used to ask what happened to a person or thing.
Examples
- What has become of your old car?
- I wonder what became of that student from last year.