First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
belong
verb be·long \bi-ˈlȯŋ, bē-\
—used to say that someone or something should be in a particular place or situation
: to be accepted and liked by the other people in a group
Full Definition of BELONG
intransitive verb
1
a : to be suitable, appropriate, or advantageous <a dictionary belongs in every home> b : to be in a proper situation <a man of his ability belongs in teaching>
2
a : to be the property of a person or thing —used with to <the book belongs to me> b : to be attached or bound by birth, allegiance, or dependency —usually used with to <they belong to their homeland> c : to be a member of a club, organization, or set —usually used with to <she belongs to a country club>
3
: to be an attribute, part, adjunct, or function of a person or thing <nuts and bolts belong to a car>
4
: to be properly classified
verbal auxiliary
See belong defined for English-language learners
See belong defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of BELONG
Middle English belongen, from be- + longen to be suitable — more at long
Related to BELONG
- Synonyms
- go
Rhymes with BELONG
agelong, along, art song, barong, biltong, birdsong, chaise longue, daylong, ding-dong, diphthong, dugong, endlong, erelong, fight song, folk song, furlong, Geelong, Haiphong, headlong, headstrong, Hong Kong, hour-long, kampong, lifelong, livelong, Mekong, monthlong, nightlong, oblong, oolong, part-song, Ping-Pong, plainsong, prolong, sarong, Shandong, shout song, sidelong, singsong, so long, souchong, swan song, theme song, torch song, weeklong, work song, yearlong
BELONG Defined for Kids
belong
verb be·long \bə-ˈlȯŋ\
be·longedbe·long·ing
Definition of BELONG for Kids
1
: to be in a proper place <This book belongs on the top shelf.>
2
: to be the property of a person or group of persons <The money belongs to me.>
3
: to be a part of : be connected with : go with <These pieces belong to that game.>
Learn More About BELONG
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: belongingPrevious Word in the Dictionary: belonephobiaAll Words Near: belong
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up belong? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).