Come

/kʌm/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase1 question

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To move or travel towards the speaker or a specified place.

/kʌm/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To move or travel toward the speaker.

Come and sit down.

💡 Simply: It means to approach or arrive somewhere. Like when you say, 'Come to my house!'

👶 For kids: To walk, run, or drive to where someone is.

More Examples

2

The train came in late.

How It's Used

Everyday Conversation

"Come here, please."

Travel

"We came to this city last week."

2

To happen; to occur.

/kʌm/

verbneutralIntermediate
General

To happen or occur.

The day will come when we'll succeed.

💡 Simply: It means something is happening or starting. Like when you say, 'Trouble is coming!'

👶 For kids: It means something is going to happen.

More Examples

2

When did this idea come to you?

How It's Used

General

"When will the opportunity come?"

Tip:Think of something 'coming' into existence.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

come what may

No matter what happens.

"Come what may, we will finish the project."

From Old English *cuman, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch komen and German kommen. The original meaning was 'to go'.

The word 'come' has been used extensively throughout the history of the English language, showing relatively little change in its core meaning.

Memory tip

Imagine someone beckoning you; they're saying 'Come!'

Word Origin

LanguageProto-Germanic
Original meaning

"To go, to move, to arrive"

come backcome truecome to light

Common misspellings

comcum

Usage

85%Spoken
70%Written