become

/bɪˈkʌm/ (bre, ipa) · /bɪˈkʌm/ (ame, ipa) · /bi-ˈkəm bē-/ (ame, mw)

become — verb

1. to change from one state, feeling, or kind of person into another over time, end

1.動詞不及物A2
釋義

to change from one state, feeling, or kind of person into another over time, ending up adjective or with a particular role or identity.

例句

Bram wants to become a nurse after she finishes high school.

become + noun (role/identity)

The sky became dark very quickly before the storm hit.

become + adjective (change of state)

同義詞
  • turn

    shorter and more sudden; common with colors and weather (turn red, turn cold)

  • grow

    stresses slow, gradual change, usually with adjectives (grow tired, grow old)

  • get

    informal everyday equivalent before adjectives (get angry, get better)

反義詞
  • remain

    stay the same instead of changing

  • stay

    casual opposite, keep the current state

文法句型

become + adjective

become + noun

用法筆記

Acts as a linking verb, so it joins the subject to a noun or adjective rather than taking an object. Often paired with time markers (over the years, since then, recently) to stress gradual change.

常見錯誤

❌She became to a doctor.
✅She became a doctor.
💡no preposition between 'become' and the role noun.
❌He becomed angry.
✅He became angry.
💡past tense is irregular: become / became / become.

2. if a piece of clothing, a hairstyle, or a kind of behaviour becomes someone, it

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

if a piece of clothing, a hairstyle, or a kind of behaviour becomes someone, it makes them look attractive or seems right and proper for the type of person they are.

例句

That dark green jacket really becomes you, Leila.

clothing item + becomes + person

Short hair becomes her much better than the long style she had last year.

hairstyle becomes + person

同義詞
  • suit

    more common everyday choice with the same structure (the dress suits you)

  • flatter

    stresses making someone look better than usual, usually about clothing or lighting

反義詞
  • clash with

    look wrong against someone's features or skin tone

文法句型

something becomes someone

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is transitive and takes a person as its object. Subject is usually a piece of clothing, a colour, a hairstyle, or a kind of behaviour. Often appears in the negative ('does not become') to criticise behaviour as unsuitable for a person's role.

常見錯誤

❌You become that hat.
✅That hat becomes you.
💡the clothing is the subject; the person is the object.
❌The shoes are becoming to her.
✅The shoes become her.
💡no preposition; the person follows directly.