be
biː
beenwas/were
Definition Synonyms Conjugation

Definition of be - Reverso English Dictionary

Verb

intr.
1.
descriptionlink someone or something with a quality or state
  • The soup is hot.
appear remain seem
2.
categorylink someone or something with a class or kind
  • A whale is a mammal.
constitute count qualify
3.
grammarused with present participles to form continuous tenses
  • She is reading a novel.

Auxiliary verb

1.
linguisticsform continuous clauses with a present participle
  • She is reading by the window.
continue keep
2.
grammarform passive clauses with a past participle
  • The results were announced this morning.
become get
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Expressions with be

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
not be difficult
This math problem should be easy for you.
feel a need to drink
After the run, I was thirsty and needed water.
be near someone or socialize with them
She likes to be around her friends on weekends.
be at one's place of residence
I will be home by 6 PM.
derive from a particular source
His argument is based on scientific research.
finish or complete something
I will be done with my homework soon.

Origin of be

Old English, beon (to exist)

Terms with be included in their meaning

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askv.
question
put forward a question to be answered
emotion
be aware of a certain emotion
flyn.
animal
insect with wings that can often be a pest
concealment
put something where it can't be seen
inadv.
position
so as to be enclosed by something
information
be informed or have information
familiarity
be familiar with someone or something
existence
have life or be alive

Examples of be in a sentence

  • The roads are icy tonight.
  • A robin is a bird.
  • Copper is a metal.
  • We are waiting for the bus.
  • Is he cooking dinner tonight?
  • This is my final answer.

View all translations of be

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:être, être en train de, ...
  2. German:sein, zur Bildung der Verlaufsform, ...
  3. Italian:essere, per formare il progressivo, ...
  4. Spanish:ser, deber, ...
  5. Portuguese:estar, usar estar a mais infinitivo, ...
  6. Chinese:是, 在进行中, ...
  7. Japanese:ある性質や状態にあると示す, ている, ...
  8. Arabic:كَانَ, تَكْوِينُ الجُمْلَةِ الدّالَّةِ عَلَى الاِسْتِمْرار, ...
  9. Hebrew:לִהְיוֹת, פּוֹעַל עֵזֶר לִיצִירַת צוּרָה מְמֻשֶּׁכֶת, ...
  10. Russian:являться, продолженный вид, ...
  11. Ukrainian:бути, утворювати тривалий вид, ...
  12. Hindi:होना, रहा के साथ जारी क्रिया की रचना, ...
BE
biː

Definition of BE - Reverso English Dictionary

Acronym

1.
acr: Bachelor of EngineeringTECH.undergraduate degree in engineeringTECH.
  • She earned her BE in mechanical engineering.
2.
acr: Black EnglishTECH.type of English spoken by some Black peopleTECH.
  • BE is a unique type of English spoken by some Black people.
AAVE African American Vernacular English Ebonics
3.
acr: Buddhist EraTECH.calendar system used in Buddhist countriesTECH.
  • The year 2565 BE is 2022 AD.
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Origin of BE

Old English beon (to be)

Examples of BE in a sentence

  • A BE is essential for many engineering roles.
  • BE is often discussed in sociolinguistics.
  • Many songs feature elements of BE.
  • In Thailand, the year 2566 BE is celebrated widely.
  • The Buddhist calendar marks 2540 BE as a significant year.

View all translations of BE

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:bachelor en ingénierie, anglais vernaculaire afro-américain, ...
  2. German:B.Eng., Black English, ...
  3. Italian:laurea in ingegneria, BE, ...
  4. Spanish:grado en ingeniería, inglés negro, ...
  5. Portuguese:Licenciatura em Engenharia, inglês negro, ...
  6. Chinese:工学学士, 黑人英语, ...
  7. Japanese:学士号, ブラック・イングリッシュ, ...
  8. Arabic:بكالوريوس الهندسة, الإنجليزيّة السّوداء, ...
  9. Hebrew:תֹּאַר רִאשׁוֹן בְּהַנְדָּסָה, אַנְגְּלִית שְׁחוֹרָה, ...
  10. Russian:бакалавр инженерии, чёрный английский, ...
  11. Ukrainian:БІ, Чорношкіра англійська, ...
  12. Hindi:बीई, ब्लैक इंग्लिश, ...
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