Dictionary

be en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• [ˈbɪi̯] stressed form
• /ˈbɪ/ weak vowel distinction
• (General-American) audio
• (Received-Pronunciation) audio
• (General-American) audio
• [ˈbə] weak vowel merger
• [ˈbɪ] weak vowel distinction
• /ˈbiː/ stressed form
• /ˈbə/ weak vowel merger

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *bʰuHyétider.? Proto-Germanic *beuną Proto-West Germanic *beun Old English bēon Middle English been English be From Middle English been (“to be”). See below for more. Further etymology of be and its conjugated forms The various forms have three separate origins, which were mixed together at various times in the history of English. * The forms beginning with b- come from Old English bēon (“to be, become”), from Proto-Germanic *beuną (“to be, exist, come to be, become”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH-yé-ti (“to grow, become, come into being, appear”), from the root *bʰuH-. In particular: ** Now-dialectal use of been as an infinitive of be is either from Middle English been (“to be”) or an extension of the past participle. ** Now-obsolete use of been as a plural present tense (meaning "are") is from Middle English been, be (present plural of been (“to be”), with the -n leveled in from the past and subjunctive; compare competing forms aren/are). ** Use of been as a past participle is from Middle English been, ybeen, from Old English ġebēon. * The forms beginning with w- come from the aforementioned Old English bēon, which shared its past tense with the verb wesan, from Proto-West Germanic *wesan, from Proto-Germanic *wesaną, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂wes- (“to reside”). * The remaining forms (am, are, is) are also from Old English wesan (“to be”), Proto-West Germanic *wesan, from Proto-Germanic *wesaną, the present tense of which comes from Proto-Indo-European *h₁és-ti, from the root *h₁es-.

Meanings

1. (auxiliary) As an auxiliary verb: ▸ Used with past participles of verbs to form the passive voice.
   • The dog was saved by the boy.
   • Study courses of Esperanto and Ido have been broadcast. 1995, C. K. Ogden, Psyche: An Annual General and Linguistic Psychology 1920-1952, C. K. Ogden, →ISBN, page 13:
2. As an auxiliary verb: ▸ Used with present participles of verbs to form the continuous aspect.
   • In the possibility of radio uses of a constructed language — and such experiments are proving successful—vast sums of money and untold social forces may be involved. 1995, C. K. Ogden, Psyche: An Annual General and Linguistic Psychology 1920-1952, C. K. Ogden, →ISBN, page 13:
   • The woman is walking.
   • We liked to chat while we were eating.
   • I can't always be catering to your whimsies.
   • I shall be writing to you soon.
   • I was being deadly serious when I made that suggestion.
3. As an auxiliary verb: ▸ Used with to-infinitives of verbs to express intent, obligation, appropriateness, or relative future occurrence.
   • I am to leave tomorrow.
   • How were they to know the whole exercise was a ruse?
   • I'd been to've been ambassador, but fell seriously ill.
   • They were to have been married overseas but COVID forced a change of plans.
   • They are to stay here until I return.
4. As an auxiliary verb: ▸ Used with past participles of certain intransitive verbs to form the perfect aspect.
   • He is come.
   • The King with half the East at heel is marched from lands of morning; 1922, A. E. Housman, Last Poems XXV, l.13, page 51
   • He is finished.
   • They are not yet come back. c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv], page 133:
   • He is not here; for he is risen […]. Matthew 28:6 (various translations, from the King James Version of 1611 to Revised Version of 1881)
   • His origins are become remote as is his destiny and not again in all the world’s turning will there be terrains so wild and barbarous to try whether the stuff of creation may be shaped to man’s will or whether his own heart is not another kind of clay. 1985, Cormac McCarthy, chapter I, in Blood Meridian […] , →OCLC, page 4:
   • He is gone.
   • ‘I wish that he were come to me, / For he will come,’ she said. 1850, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, The Blessed Damozel, ll.67-68:
   • कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो 1965, The Decision to Drop the Bomb (documentary), spoken by J. Robert Oppenheimer, translation of original in Sanskrit:
   • And he cryed mightily with a strõg voyce, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of deuils[…] 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Revelation 18:2:
5. (Caribbean, Ireland, auxiliary, not conjugated, qualifier:African-American Vernacular) As an auxiliary verb: ▸ To tend to do, often do; marks the habitual aspect.
   • I be fingering my pussy till my fingers turn soggy; Yeah, I love masturbation; that’s my favorite fucking hobby; I be spitting on my pussy; yeah, I gotta keep it soppy; I be gooning out in public; ain’t nobody gonna stop me. 2025, LONDON, “Soggy!”, in Soggy!:
   • 1996, David Sheffield, Barry W. Blaustein, Tom Shadyac and Steve Oedekerk, screenplay of The Nutty Professor Women be shoppin’! You cannot stop a woman from shoppin’!
   • Niggas be tellin' these bitches 'bout business 2020, Moneybagg Yo, Thug Cry:
6. (with-dummy-subject) As a copulative verb: ▸ To exist.
   • There is just one woman in town who can help us.
   • (or, dialectally:) It is just one woman in town who can help us.
   • Some men there are loue not a gaping Pigge: / Some that are mad, if they behold a Cat: / And others, when the bag-pipe sings i’th nose, / Cannot containe their Vrine for affection. c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i], page 178:
   • "There is a sort of domestic enjoyment to be known even in a crowd, and this you had." 1817 (date written), [Jane Austen], chapter IX, in Persuasion; published in Northanger Abbey: And Persuasion. […], volume IV, London: John Murray, […], 20 December 1817 (indicated as 1818), →OCLC, page 170:
   • "There has been lots of commentary on who is staying and who is staying out and this weekend will be the real test," said one senior media buying agency executive who has pulled the advertising for one major client. 2011 July 6, Mark Sweney, The Guardian:
7. As a copulative verb: ▸ Used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent.
   • These four are the ones going to the quarter-finals.
   • 3 times 5 is fifteen.
   • This is how we do it.
   • Hi, I’m Jim.
   • François Mitterrand was president of France from 1981 to 1995.
8. As a copulative verb: ▸ Used to indicate that a predicate nominal applies to the subject.
   • Rex is a dog.
   • A dog is an animal.
   • Dogs are animals.
9. As a copulative verb: ▸ Used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective or prepositional phrase.
   • The sky is blue.
   • Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remooue this cup from me: neuerthelesse, not my will, but thine be done. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 22:42:
10. As a copulative verb: ▸ Used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase.
    • The sky is a deep blue today.
11. As a copulative verb: ▸ Used to link a subject to a measurement.
    • I am 75 kilograms.
    • He’s about 6 feet tall.
    • This building is three hundred years old.
12. (with a cardinal numeral) As a copulative verb: ▸ Used to state the age of a subject in years.
    • I’m 20 (years old).
13. (with a dummy subject it) As a copulative verb: ▸ Used to indicate the time of day.
    • It is almost eight (o’clock).
    • It’s 8:30 [read eight-thirty] in Tokyo.
    • What time is it there? It’s night.
14. (with since) As a copulative verb: ▸ Used to indicate passage of time since the occurrence of an event.
    • It had been six days since his departure, when I received a letter from him.
    • It has been three years since my grandmother died. (similar to "My grandmother died three years ago", but emphasizes the intervening period)
15. (past, rare, regional) As a copulative verb: ▸ Used to link two noun clauses: a day of the week, recurring date, month, or other specific time (on which the event of the main clause took place) and a period of time indicating how long ago that day was.
    • That they were present at the Election in August was Twelvemonth, at which there was the strictest Scrutiny that ever they saw in their Lives, by all the Four Candidates. 1803, Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons, Journals of the House of Commons, page 249:
    • Theobald Green gent dead in the Marshalsea in August was twelvemonth John Grey gent delivered out of the Marshalsea about August last by Mr. Secretary and remains in St. Mary Overies. John Jacob gent delivered out of the Marsh. the XVII of May was twelvemonth and sent to Bridewell by order of the Council. 1920 (published), St. George Kieran Hyland, A Century of Persecution Under Tudor and Stuart Sovereigns from Contemporary Records, London, Paul, page 402, quoting an earlier document, Loosley volume 5, no. 28, "List of Prisoners: In Sir W. More's handwriting"
    • 'Twas there to-morrow is a week. 1895, Miss M. E. Rope of Suffolk, quoted by Joseph Wright, in The English Dialect Dictionary, page 202
    • I killed my poor father, Tuesday was a week, for doing the like of that. 1907, John Millington Synge, The Playboy of the Western World, I, page 20:
    • “Did there come no young woman here—very young and pretty—Friday was a fortnight, to see Dinah Morris?” 1859, George Eliot [pseudonym; Mary Ann Evans], “The Quest”, in Adam Bede […], volume III, Edinburgh; London: William Blackwood and Sons, →OCLC, book fifth, page 53:
    • And so, without as much as to return home to furnish myself for such a journey, volens, nolens, they prevailed, or rather forced me to come to Dublin to confer with those colonels, and that was the last August was twelvemonth. 1770, Historical Memoirs of the Irish Rebellion, in the year 1641 […] In a letter to Walter Harris, Esq; [By John Curry.] The fourth edition, with corrections throughout the whole, and large additions, by the author, Ireland, page 186:
    • On the morning of Sunday was fortnight before Christmas: on the morning of the Sunday that was two weeks before the Sunday prior to Christmas.
    • Allow me to recommend some of the kipper—It was John Hay that catched it Saturday was three weeks. 1815 February 24, [Walter Scott], chapter V, in Guy Mannering; or, The Astrologer. […], volume I, Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […]; and Archibald Constable and Co., […], →OCLC, pages 79-80:
    • I saw her Monday was a week: I saw her a week ago last Monday (a week before last Monday).
    • Miss Lardner (whom you have seen at her cousin Biddulph's) saw you at St James's church on Sunday was fortnight. 1748, [Samuel Richardson], Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume V, London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by John Osborn, […], →OCLC, page 97:
16. As a copulative verb: ▸ To pass or spend (time).
    • The bag was crisp with ice, and with my fingerless gloves I was a bit of time unholing the buttons. But I got the flap turned back at last, and there was Ryan grey-faced and stark. 1907, C. J. Cutcliffe Hyne, McTodd, page 232:
    • and when he compares both sides, he will be some time at a loss to fix any determination. 1844, Robert Chambers, Cyclopedia of English Literature: A History, page 289:
17. As a copulative verb: ▸ To take a period of time.
    • Dinner will be ten minutes.
    • It was an hour before he returned.
18. (impersonal, often, with it as a dummy subject) As a copulative verb: ▸ Used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality.
    • Why is it so dark in here?
    • It is hot in Arizona, but it is not usually humid.
19. (especially, in progressive tenses, irregular, qualifier:dynamic / lexical be) As a copulative verb: ▸ To exist or behave in a certain way.
    • Just be yourself.
    • Dad is taking a nap, so we're all being quiet.
    • "What do we do?" "We be ourselves."
    • Why is he being nice to me?
    • When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. 2006 October 9, Kristin Newman (writer), Barney Stinson (character), How I Met Your Mother, season 2, episode 1
20. (literary, usually) As an intransitive lexical verb: ▸ To exist; to have real existence, to be alive.
    • […]it were great sottishnesse, and apparent false-hood, to say, that that is which is not yet in being, or that already hath ceased from being. 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC, page 351:
    • This is something that was meant to be.
    • The genial hotel manager of the past is no more. Now owner of a trucking concern and living in Belgium, Rusesabagina says the horrors he witnessed in Rwanda "made me a different man." 2004 December 13, Richard Schickel, “Not Just an African Story”, in Time:
    • And after this death there is to be no resurrection. The old man of sin has ceased to be; once crucified, he lives no more. The death is utter; the end complete. 1893, Andrew Martin Fairbairn, Christ in the Centuries, and Other Sermons, 2nd edition, volume 12, E.P. Dutton & Company, page 116:
    • Rachel wepynge ffor her chyldren / and wolde nott be comforted becauſe they were not. 1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Matthew ij:[18], folio iij, recto:
    • There is surely a peece of Divinity in us, something that was before the Elements, and owes no homage unto the Sun. 1643, Thomas Browne, Religio Medici, II.2, link:
    • This parrot is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! This is a late parrot! It's a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed it to the perch it would be pushing up the daisies! 1969 December 7, Monty Python, “Full Frontal Nudity, Dead Parrot sketch”, in Monty Python's Flying Circus, spoken by Mr Praline (John Cleese):
    • To be, or not to be: that is the question: / Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, / And by opposing end them? c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii], page 265:
    • The Universe has no explanation: it just is.
    • That was the week that was.
21. As an intransitive lexical verb: ▸ To remain undisturbed in a certain state or situation.
    • Let them be for a few hours.
    • Leave us be until the guests arrive.
22. As an intransitive lexical verb: ▸ To occupy a place.
    • The cup is on the table.
23. As an intransitive lexical verb: ▸ To occur, to take place.
    • When will the meeting be?
24. (in perfect tenses) As an intransitive lexical verb: ▸ Elliptical form of “be here”, “go to and return from” or similar, also extending to certain other senses of “go”.
    • I have terrible constipation – I haven't been for several days.
    • We've been about twenty miles.
    • I’ve been into town this morning.
    • The postman has been today, but my tickets have still not yet come.
    • I have been to Spain many times.

Forms

Deriveds

might-be · unbe · be to · be onto nothing · be fearful when others are greedy · be like (phrasal verbs etc. derived from be) · be to (phrasal verbs etc. derived from be) · abe · wannabe · gonnabe · bist · maybe · be quiet · be along (phrasal verbs etc. derived from be) · be on (phrasal verbs etc. derived from be) · albe · beware · bewith · be onto (phrasal verbs etc. derived from be) · inter-be · be going to · be in on (phrasal verbs etc. derived from be) · be cool · be no match for · habitual be · to-be · beable · be judge and jury · be-er · be after (phrasal verbs etc. derived from be) · be on about (phrasal verbs etc. derived from be)

Synonyms

get (used to form passive)

Translations (1217)

la sum (to occupy a place) · cs být (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · oc èsser (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · de stattfinden (to occur, take place) · uz emoq (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · egl êser (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · ja だ (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · ro fi (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · ms berada (to occupy a place) · nds-de schehn (to occur, take place) · ja です (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · hil kamao (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · bxd ŋɔ̠t⁵⁵ (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · ar كَانَ (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · cy bod (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · sh би̏ти (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · ca ser (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · osx sīn (to occupy a place) · khb ᦊᦴᧈ (to occupy a place) · es estar (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · grc εἰμί (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · cs být (auxiliary: used to express intent, obligation, appropriateness or relative future occurrence) · cs být (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · rom si (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · lou çé (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · rue бу́ти (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · nv átʼé (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · cs mít (auxiliary: used to express intent, obligation, appropriateness or relative future occurrence) · kmr bûn (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · mn орших (to occupy a place) · mzn بوئن (to occupy a place) · cu бꙑти (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · aii ܗܵܘܹܐ (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · mnc ᠪᡳᠮᠪᡳ (to occur, take place) · ca ésser (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · es ser (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · fi tulla (auxiliary: used to express intent, obligation, appropriateness or relative future occurrence) · liv vȱlda (to occupy a place) · da være (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · ru быть (to occur, take place) · sh би̏ти (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · la veniō (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · km ជា (to occur, take place) · evn би- (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · nn vere (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · ko -이다 (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · ru существова́ть (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · grc ὑπόκειμαι (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · nb stå (to occupy a place) · ast ser (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · ko -히다 (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · ru равно́ (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · sl biti (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · eu egon (to occupy a place) · cmn 有 (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · sh би̏ти (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · cy bod (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · fi olla (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · pdc sei (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · it essere (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · tr var olmak (to occur, take place) · rm esser (to occupy a place) · it venire (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · ka არსებობა (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · apw naiágúóli (to occupy a place) · de sein (auxiliary (archaic in English): used to form the perfect aspect with certain intransitive verbs) · nl bestaan (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · pl być (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · sv vara (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · es seer (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · dng зэ (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · pl mieć (used to link a subject to a count or measurement) · kw bos (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · pl być (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · frr wiis (to occupy a place) · sw kuwa (to occupy a place) · ru полу́читься (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · rsk буц (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · eu egon (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · zza ben (diq) (used to state the age of a subject in years) · de sein (used to link a subject to a count or measurement) · arz بيبقى (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · gl ser (to occur, take place) · lld vester (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · fi olla ...-vuotias (used to state the age of a subject in years) · acn nghuot (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · th อยู่ (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · ro fi (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · ms اياله (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · fi olla olemassa (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · zdj uhundriha (to occupy a place) · rom si (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · it essere uguale (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · pt existir (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · ro avea (used to state the age of a subject in years) · vi có (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · cmn 在 (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · pl być (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · mk е (auxiliary (archaic in English): used to form the perfect aspect with certain intransitive verbs) · zdj ukaya (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · ast tar (to occupy a place) · mk е (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · mn ᠪᠠᠶᠢᠬᠤ (to occur, take place) · nrf être (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · is vera (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · ca passar (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · sl biti (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · nn vere or vera (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · da være (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · it essere (to occur, take place) · uk бу́ти (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · da være lig med (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · kmr hebûn (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · anq ʈʰi (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · frr wees (to occupy a place) · fi olla (auxiliary (archaic in English): used to form the perfect aspect with certain intransitive verbs) · grc εἰμί (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · hy եմ (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · eo esti (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · is vera (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · hy լինել (to occupy a place) · pl być (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · izh olla (to occupy a place) · pl być (auxiliary: used to form the continuous aspect of various tenses) · ga bí (auxiliary: used to form the continuous aspect of various tenses) · sk byť (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · kmr bûn (to occur, take place) · vi được (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · de sein (auxiliary: used to express intent, obligation, appropriateness or relative future occurrence) · mn ᠪᠠᠶᠢᠬᠤ (to occupy a place) · vi ở (to occupy a place) · lmo vèss (to occupy a place) · oko 無叱 (to occupy a place) · ru равня́ться (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · vi đang (auxiliary: used to form the continuous aspect of various tenses) · ur ہونا (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · io evar (used to state the age of a subject in years) · ca ésser (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · ast ser (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · fy wurde (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · fo finnast (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · ca anar (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · ru явля́ться (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · nan-hbl 是 (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · ro fi (to occupy a place) · sh постојати (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · dsb byś (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · enm been (auxiliary: used to form the continuous aspect of various tenses) · mnc ᠪᡳᠮᠪᡳ (to occupy a place) · jje -아ᇝ- (auxiliary: used to form the continuous aspect of various tenses) · otk 𐰼 (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · cs být (to occur, take place) · et olema (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · yo ni (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · nv nilį́ (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · sh bȉti (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · fy wêze (to occupy a place) · he הָיָה (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · nn vere (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · jv ana (to occur, take place) · uk бу́ти (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · bpl -ya (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · te ఉండు (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · nn vere (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · nb ligge (to occupy a place) · fro estre (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · mk е (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · bg съм (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · jje 아니다 (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · egy wn:n:n (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · enm been (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · mnc zero copula (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · la sum (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · is vera (auxiliary (archaic in English): used to form the perfect aspect with certain intransitive verbs) · fa-ira بودَن (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · izh olla (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · sga at·tá (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · da ville (auxiliary: used to express intent, obligation, appropriateness or relative future occurrence) · nrf être (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · ja 有る (to occur, take place) · ln zala (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · da være (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · uk бу́ти (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · aii ܗܵܘܹܐ (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · th มีอยู่ (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · de werden (auxiliary: used to express intent, obligation, appropriateness or relative future occurrence) · gv bee (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · fr avoir (auxiliary (archaic in English): used to form the perfect aspect with certain intransitive verbs) · ast facer (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · aii ܗܵܘܹܐ (auxiliary: used to form the continuous aspect of various tenses) · ms اياله (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · de sein (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · ast ser (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · sv finnas (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · th กำลัง (auxiliary: used to form the continuous aspect of various tenses) · uk бу́ти (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · rad jing (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · grc εἰμί (to occur, take place) · mk е (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · fi olla (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · rsk буц (to occupy a place) · ceb nangin (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · ro fi (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · sk byť (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · cy bod (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · sv ske (to occur, take place) · nl zijn (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · nv átʼé (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · de sein (to occupy a place) · et olema (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · ms براد (to occupy a place) · nn vera (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · got 𐍅𐌹𐍃𐌰𐌽 (to occupy a place) · cmn 是 (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · nrf être (to occur, take place) · sl biti (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · sq jam (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · nn liggja (to occupy a place) · lo ບັງເກີດ (to occur, take place) · ko 고 있다 (auxiliary: used to form the continuous aspect of various tenses) · sh би̏ти (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · la sum (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · ru быть (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · ca ser (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · fr être (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · hy եմ (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · mnc ᡳᠨᡠ ᠪᡳᡥᡝ (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · la sum (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · yo wà (to occupy a place) · lzh-lit 唯 (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · tet iha (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · enm been (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · ja だ (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · ru быть (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · nn stå (to occupy a place) · km គឺ (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · bo རེད (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · pl równać się (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · cs být (to occupy a place) · mk би́де (to occur, take place) · ga bí cothrom le (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · ja です (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · cs být (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · okm 없〯다〮 (to occupy a place) · jje -어ᇝ- (auxiliary: used to form the continuous aspect of various tenses) · gl ser (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · lld esse (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · bg съм (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · nb bli (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · eo esti (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · lv būt (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · lld ester (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · pt estar (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · kab d (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · sk byť (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · pt ser (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · wa sey (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · ms اداله (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · mzn دأیهن (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · bni zala (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · fi olla (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · sv finnas till (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · ht se (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · sa अस्ति (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · be быць (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · pt ser (auxiliary (archaic in English): used to form the perfect aspect with certain intransitive verbs) · lou dèt (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · de sein (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · egl êser (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · ko 아니다 (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · bg съм (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · ryu やん (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · fr faire (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · lt būti (to occupy a place) · nn vera (to occur, take place) · wa sey (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · hit 𒂊𒌍𒍣 (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · tzm ⵉⵍⵉ (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · egl avêreg (used to state the age of a subject in years) · dsb byś (to occur, take place) · hi होना (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · el κάνει (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · aeb جِا (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · ja 在る (to occupy a place) · nn vera (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · ajp كان (to occupy a place) · nb være (to occupy a place) · fi olla yhtä suuri kuin (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · ca tindre (used to state the age of a subject in years) · mk е (to occur, take place) · zlw-slv bëc (to occupy a place) · av букӏине (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · it andare (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · prs هَسْت (to occupy a place) · de sein (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · nn vera (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · ta ஆகு (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · ist ièsi (to occupy a place) · is vera (to occupy a place) · pt ser (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · vi là (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · ro fi (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · ja られる (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · da ske (to occur, take place) · es estar (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · mzn بیهن (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · tyv чоруур (to occupy a place) · enm been (to occupy a place) · fur sei (to occupy a place) · jje 잇다 (to occupy a place) · got 𐍅𐌹𐍃𐌰𐌽 (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · pl być (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · lo ຢູ່ (to occupy a place) · osx wesan (to occupy a place) · sl biti (to occupy a place) · egl êser (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · mhn sai' (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · nn vera (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · wa esse (auxiliary: used to form the continuous aspect of various tenses) · lv būt (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · ur ہونا (to occur, take place) · sv sitta (to occupy a place) · nb være (to occur, take place) · th อยู่ (to occupy a place) · tr imek (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · yo sí (to occupy a place) · da være (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · cy bod (auxiliary: used to form the continuous aspect of various tenses) · lld esser (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · lij êse (to occur, take place) · lou apé (auxiliary: used to form the continuous aspect of various tenses) · got 𐍅𐌹𐍃𐌰𐌽 (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · nb være (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · ja 居る (to occupy a place) · nl zijn (to occupy a place) · nci cah (to occupy a place) · hy եմ (to occupy a place) · cs být (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · nb være (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · nrf être (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · ht se (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · sl biti (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · ks آسُن (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · ko 있다 (to occupy a place) · eo esti (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · kmr bûn (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · my ရှိ (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · ang bēon (to occupy a place) · nl zijn (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · ar كَانَ (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · fa-ira بودَن (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · it essere (auxiliary (archaic in English): used to form the perfect aspect with certain intransitive verbs) · orv бꙑти (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · nl zijn (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · ga bí (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · de sein (used to state the age of a subject in years) · sl biti (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · yi זײַן (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · nl zijn (used to state the age of a subject in years) · cs být (auxiliary (archaic in English): used to form the perfect aspect with certain intransitive verbs) · ko 계시다 (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · ka არის (to occupy a place) · kmr bûn (to occupy a place) · grc εἰμί (to occupy a place) · fr être (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · ast tar (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · km នៅ (to occupy a place) · cs být (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · dsb byś (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · cmn 是 (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · pt ter (used to link a subject to a count or measurement) · es ser (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · lt būti (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · cmn 在 (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · hi होना (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · ga is (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · es ser (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · eu izan (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · ast ser (to occur, take place) · ur ہونا (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · frr weese (to occupy a place) · okm 잇다〮 (to occupy a place) · frp étre (to occupy a place) · bua оршохо (to occupy a place) · ryu 有ん (to occupy a place) · it fare (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · sv ha (auxiliary (archaic in English): used to form the perfect aspect with certain intransitive verbs) · ca ésser (used to link a subject to a count or measurement) · uk бу́ти (to occupy a place) · xcl եմ (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · wa esse (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · pt ter (used to state the age of a subject in years) · qu kay (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · arz يبقى (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · el έχει (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · kw bos (to occupy a place) · dlm saite (to occupy a place) · ar كَانَ (to occur, take place) · cy bod (to occupy a place) · lv būt (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · qu tiyay (to occupy a place) · dsb byś (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · hy լինել (to occur, take place) · de existieren (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · gv bee (to occur, take place) · nds-de gebören (to occur, take place) · ca ser (to occupy a place) · so jirid (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · be знахо́дзіцца (to occupy a place) · fa-ira بودَن (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · rue бы́ти (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · sq jam (to occupy a place) · egl êser (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · fa-ira بودَن (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · sc essere (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · nl zitten (to occupy a place) · th เกิดขึ้น (to occur, take place) · fa-ira بودَن (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · ast ser (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · nds-de stattfinnen (to occur, take place) · dsb byś (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · ka არსებობს (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · vi là (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · sv vara (auxiliary (archaic in English): used to form the perfect aspect with certain intransitive verbs) · ja 在る (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · la sum (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · pdc sei (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · sh би̏ти (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · cs být (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · lt būti (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · enm been (to occur, take place) · ang wesan (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · roa-brg étre (to occupy a place) · aii ܗܵܘܹܐ (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · et olema (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · wa esse (auxiliary: used to form the continuous aspect of various tenses) · de sein (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · vi thì (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · cmn 是 (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · da være (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · es sentirse (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · ga bí (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · sv vara (to occupy a place) · yue 係 /系 (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · prs بُودَن (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · cmg ᠠᠬᠤ (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · et olema (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · nb være (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · ru быть (auxiliary: used to express intent, obligation, appropriateness or relative future occurrence) · okm 아니〮다〮 (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · fa-ira بودَن (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · sk mať (used to state the age of a subject in years) · id ada (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · fi olla (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · zza est (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · ca estar (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · et olema (to occur, take place) · grc εἰμί (used to indicate that the subject plays the role of the predicate nominal) · nn verte (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · aii ܗܵܘܹܐ (to occupy a place) · cdo 是 (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · nb være (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · pl mieć (used to state the age of a subject in years) · evn би (to occupy a place) · izh olla (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · enm been (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · pl zostać (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · la sum (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · lv būt (to occupy a place) · fi olla (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · ro fi (to occur, take place) · prs بُودَن (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by a noun or noun phrase) · dsb byś (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · enm been (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · ms ada (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · sh bȉti (to occupy a place) · nds-de wesen (to occupy a place) · ja である (used to indicate ambient conditions such as weather, light, noise or air quality) · yi זײַן (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent) · io esar (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · sh bȉti (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · ko ᆻ다 (auxiliary: used to form the continuous aspect of various tenses) · tr var (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · sc èssere (to occupy a place) · sk byť (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · mk е (used to indicate that the subject has the qualities described by an adjective) · la sum (to occur, take place) · sms leeʹd (to occupy a place) · ca fer (used to link a subject to a count or measurement) · nds-de sien (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · sq është (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · izh olla (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · lld vester (intransitive, non-copulative (usually literary in English): to exist; to have real existence) · ca ser (used to link a subject to a count or measurement) · ast tar (elliptical form of "be here", "go to and return from" or similar) · bg съм (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · lus awm (to occupy a place) · bg съм (auxiliary: used to form the passive voice) · ja である (used to indicate that the values on either side of an equation are the same) · sk byť (used to declare the subject and object identical or equivalent)

be en · ADP · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• /bi/
• /bɪ/
• /bə/

Etymology

A variant of by which goes back to Middle English be (variant of Middle English bi).

Meanings

1. (alt-of, alternative, dated, dialectal, possibly) Alternative form of by. Also found in compounds, especially oaths, e.g. begorra begad and bejesus.
   alt of by
   • O ful tru un pertikler akeawnt o... th' greyt Eggshibishun. Be o felley fro Rachde. 1851, Oliver Ormerod, Felley fro Rachde:
   • Like a leeaf be firm decree / Mun fade an' fall. 1878, John Castillo, Poems in the North Yorkshire Dialect, section 35:
   • Fetchin' it yan... be a round about rooad. 1870, Roger Piketah, Forness Folk, section 44:
   • Aw teuk me seat be day an' neet. 1870, Joseph Philip Robson, Evangeline: The Spirit of Progress, section 332:
   • Go thy way vorth be tha vootsteps uv tha vlock. 1860, Henry Baird, The Song of Solomon in the Devonshire Dialect, i 8:
   • ‘I'll meet you agin to-morra,’ says he, ‘be the chapel-door.’ 1885, Alfred Lord Tennyson, To-morrow:

be en · NOUN · etymology 3

Pronunciation

• /beɪ/

Etymology

Borrowed from Russian бэ (bɛ).

Meanings

1. The name of the Cyrillic script letter Б / б

Forms