belong

be·long

verb \bi-ˈlȯŋ, bē-\

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

chiefly Southern & southern Midland : ought, must

Examples of BELONG

1. She was here for 15 years, but she never really belonged.
2. <your shoes belong in the closet, not in the middle of the living room where people will trip on them>

Origin of BELONG

Middle English belongen, from be- + longen to be suitable — more at long

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BELONG

Synonyms: go

Related Words: place, stay; fit (in)

see all synonyms and antonyms

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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