First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1come
verb \ˈkəm\
came \ˈkām\ comecom·ing \ˈkə-miŋ\
Definition of COME
intransitive verb
1
a : to move toward something : approach <come here> b : to move or journey to a vicinity with a specified purpose <come see us> <come and see what's going on> c (1) : to reach a particular station in a series <now we come to the section on health> (2) : to arrive in due course <the time has come> d (1) : to approach in kind or quality <this comes near perfection> (2) : to reach a condition or conclusion <came to regard him as a friend> <come to think of it, you may be right> e (1) : to advance toward accomplishment : come along <the job is coming nicely> (2) : to advance in a particular manner <come running when I call> (3) : to advance, rise, or improve in rank or condition <has come a long way> f : extend <her dress came to her ankles>
2
a (1) : to arrive at a particular place, end, result, or conclusion <came to his senses> <come untied> (2) : amount <the taxes on it come to more than it's worth> b (1) : to appear to the mind <the answer came to them> (2) : to appear on a scene : make an appearance <children come equipped to learn any language> c (1) : happen, occur <no harm will come to you> (2) : to come to pass : take place —used in the subjunctive with inverted subject and verb to express the particular time or occasion <come spring the days will be longer> d : originate, arise <wine comes from grapes> <they come of sturdy stock> e : to enter or assume a condition, position, or relation <artillery came into action> f : to fall within a field of view or a range of application <this comes within the terms of the treaty> g : to issue forth <a sob came from her throat> h : to take form <churn till the butter comes> i : to be available <this model comes in several sizes> <as good as they come> j often vulgar : to experience orgasm
3
: to fall to a person in a division or inheritance of property
4
obsolete : to become moved favorably : relent
5
: to turn out to be <good clothes don't come cheap>
6
: become <a dream that came true>
transitive verb
1
: to approach or be near (an age) <a child coming eight years old>
2
: to take on the aspect of <come the stern parent>
— come a cropper
: to fail completely <the plan came a cropper>
— come across
: to meet, find, or encounter especially by chance <researchers have come across important new evidence>
— come again
: repeat; also : to speak further —used as an interrogative
— come clean
: to tell the whole story : confess <came clean about her crimes>
— come into
: to acquire as a possession or achievement <come into a fortune>
— come into one's own
: to achieve one's potential; also : to gain recognition
— come of age
: to reach maturity
— come off it
: to cease foolish or pretentious talk or behavior
— come over
: to seize suddenly and strangely <what's come over you>
— come to
: to be a question of <when it comes to pitching horseshoes, he's the champ>
— come to grief
: to encounter misfortune (as calamity, defeat, or ruin) <his campaign came to grief>
— come to grips with
: to meet or deal with firmly, frankly, or straightforwardly <come to grips with the unemployment problem>
— come to oneself
: to get hold of oneself : regain self-control
— come to pass
: happen
— come to terms
1
: to reach an agreement —often used with with <the company has come to terms with the union>
2
: to become adjusted especially emotionally or intellectually —usually used with with <come to terms with modern life>
— come upon
: to meet or find by chance : come across <came upon an old friend>
— to come
: existing or arriving in the future <in the days to come> <there will be more trouble to come>
See come defined for English-language learners
See come defined for kids
Origin of COME
Middle English, from Old English cuman; akin to Old High German queman to come, Latin venire, Greek bainein to walk, go
2come
noun
Definition of COME
1
often vulgar : semen
2
often vulgar : orgasm
See come defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of COME
1923
COME Defined for Kids
come
verb \ˈkəm, kəm\
came \ˈkām\comecom·ing \ˈkəm-ing\
Definition of COME for Kids
1
: to move toward : approach <Come here.>
2
: to go or travel to a place <I'll be coming home for the weekend.>
4
: to reach the point of being or becoming <The water came to a boil.> <The rope came untied.>
5
: to add up : amount <The bill comes to ten dollars.>
6
: to happen or occur <This couldn't have come at a better time.>
7
: to be available <These books come in four bindings.>
8
: 1reach 3 <The water came to our knees.>
— come about
: happen 1 <How did it come about that he got lost?>
— come across
: to meet or find by chance <I came across an interesting article.>
— come along
1
: to go somewhere with someone
2
: to make progress <She's not better yet, but she's coming along.>
3
: to appear or occur as a possibility <Don't marry the first person who comes along.>
— come by
1
: to make a visit to <Come by my desk when you can.>
2
: acquire <A reliable used car is hard to come by.>
— come down
: to fall sick <He came down with a cold.>
— come over
: to affect suddenly and strangely <I'm sorry I yelled. I don't know what came over me.>
— come to
: to become conscious again <He fainted but came to after several minutes.>
— come upon
: to meet or find by chance <I came upon a stray dog.>
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