Be
/biː/
verbBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Meanings
Question
Definitions
2 meanings1
To exist or to have the qualities of something.
/biː/
verbneutralBeginner
General
To exist; to occur; to happen.
The meeting is tomorrow.
💡 Simply: To exist, to live.
More Examples
2
I will be there soon.
How It's Used
General
"I am happy."
Philosophical
"To be or not to be, that is the question."
2
To signify or indicate something.
/biː/
verbneutralIntermediate
General
To represent; to express.
This symbol is meant to be a star.
💡 Simply: To mean or represent.
How It's Used
Formal
"The report was to be submitted by Friday."
Tip:Be as in 'represent'.
From Old English *beon, from Proto-Germanic *beun, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH₂-. It has a long and complex history, evolving through various forms and retaining its core meaning of existence.
The verb 'to be' has a long history, existing in many forms in various Germanic languages. Its core function as a marker of existence has remained constant through centuries.