be

be · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    Exist; have real existence.

  2. 2.

    Occupy a position in space.

  3. 3.

    Have the identity, quality, or condition mentioned.

  4. 4.

    Used to form continuous tenses.

  5. 5.

    Used to form the passive voice.

  6. 6.

    Used in conditional or hypothetical statements.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    be about to — On the point of doing something.
  • •
    be off — Leave; be away.
  • •
    be up to — Be doing; be capable of.
  • •
    let it be — Leave it alone.
  • •
    so be it — Accept it as it is.
  • •
    to-be — Future (e.g., "mother-to-be").
  • •
    that is to say — In other words.

Related words

See also: am, are, been, is, was, were
Synonyms: exist, occur

Etymology

From Old English bēon ("to be, become"), combined with forms from wesan (source of "was," "were"). This verb uniquely combines forms from three different Proto-Indo-European roots.