be

(noun, verb)

noun

1. a light strong brittle grey toxic bivalent metallic element

Similar word(s): beryllium

Definition categories: substance, metal

verb

1. have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)

Definition categories: stative

2. be identical to; be someone or something

Definition categories: stative

3. occupy a certain position or area; be somewhere

- What is behind this behavior?

Definition categories: stative

4. have an existence, be extant

Similar word(s): exist

Definition categories: stative

5. happen, occur, take place

Definition categories: stative

6. be identical or equivalent to

Similar word(s): equal

Definition categories: stative

7. form or compose

- These constitute my entire belonging

Similar word(s): comprise, constitute, represent

Definition categories: stative

8. work in a specific place, with a specific subject, or in a specific function

Similar word(s): follow

Definition categories: social

9. represent, as of a character on stage

Similar word(s): embody, personify

Definition categories: stative, represent, symbolise, symbolize, typify

10. spend or use time

- I may be an hour

Definition categories: possession, occupy, take

11. have life, be alive

Similar word(s): live

Definition categories: stative

12. to remain unmolested, undisturbed, or uninterrupted -- used only in infinitive form

- let her be

Definition categories: stative, remain, rest, stay

13. be priced at

Similar word(s): cost

Definition categories: stative, be

Sentences with be as a verb:

- When will the meeting be?

- The postman has been today, but my tickets have still not yet come.

- I have been to Spain many times.

- I shall be writing to you soon.

- It has been three years since my grandmother died. (similar to My grandmother died three years ago, but emphasizes the intervening period)It had been six days since his departure, when I received a letter from him.