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Belong Very Common

Origin: Germanic Old English prefix

Belong has 9 different meanings across 2 categories:

Verb · Prep

Definitions
Verb
1

be owned by; be in the possession of

"This book belongs to me"

2

be suitable or acceptable

"This student somehow doesn't belong"

3

be in the right place or situation

"Where do these books belong?"

"Let's put health care where it belongs--under the control of the government"

"Where do these books go?"

4

be rightly classified in a class or category

"The whales belong among the mammals"

5

be a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc. (of a group, organization, or place)

"They belong to the same political party"

6

be a part or adjunct

"the uniform looks like it belonged to a museum collection"

"These pages don't belong"

7

To have its proper place.

"The misplaced painting finally belonged on the wall above the fireplace."

8

To be accepted in a group.

"After joining the hiking club, she quickly felt that her energetic personality made her belong to the team."

In plain English: To belong means to be part of a group, place, or family where you fit in and feel accepted.

"This book belongs on my desk, not in your bag."

Prep
1

Of, belonging to.

"The car keys found in the glovebox belonged to my brother."

Example Sentences
"This book belongs on my desk, not in your bag." verb
"The lost keys finally belong to my neighbor." verb
"This book belongs on the top shelf of the library." verb
"I feel that this old jacket truly belongs in my closet." verb
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
be
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
inhere pertain

Origin

The word "belong" comes from Middle English be- combined with longen, which originally meant to be fitting or suitable. Over time, this phrase evolved in meaning and entered modern English as the verb we use today for things that are part of a group or place.

Rhyming Words
ong bong gong nong wong rong jong song hong long dong tong fong mong cong pong vong zong yong kong
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