1be1 (biː
; (unstressed) bɪ)
Definitions
verb
Word forms: 1st person singular present tense, am, 2nd person, are, 3rd person, is, plural present tense, are, 1st person singular past tense, was, 2nd person, were, 3rd person, was, plural past tense, were, present participle, being, past participle, been
(intr) - to have presence in the realm of perceived reality; exist; live ⇒
I think, therefore I am
not all that is can be understood
- (used in the perfect or past perfect tenses only) to pay a visit; go ⇒
have you been to Spain?
- to take place; occur ⇒
my birthday was last Thursday
- (copula) used as a linking verb between the subject of a sentence and its noun or adjective complement or complementing phrase. In this case used as a linking verb between the subject of a sentence and its noun or adjective complement or complementing phrase. In this case be expresses the relationship of either essential or incidental equivalence or identity (used as a linking verb between the subject of a sentence and its noun or adjective complement or complementing phrase. In this case expresses the relationship of either essential or incidental equivalence or identity (John is a man; John is a musician ) or specifies an essential or incidental attribute (used as a linking verb between the subject of a sentence and its noun or adjective complement or complementing phrase. In this case expresses the relationship of either essential or incidental equivalence or identity () or specifies an essential or incidental attribute (honey is sweet; Susan is angry ). It is also used with an adverbial complement to indicate a relationship of location in space or time (used as a linking verb between the subject of a sentence and its noun or adjective complement or complementing phrase. In this case expresses the relationship of either essential or incidental equivalence or identity () or specifies an essential or incidental attribute (). It is also used with an adverbial complement to indicate a relationship of location in space or time (Bill is at the office; the dance is on Saturday)
- (takes a present participle) forms the progressive present tense ⇒
the man is running
- (takes a past participle) forms the passive voice of all transitive verbs and (archaically) certain intransitive ones ⇒
a good film is being shown on television tonight
I am done
- (takes an infinitive) expresses intention, expectation, supposition, or obligation ⇒
the president is to arrive at 9.30
you are not to leave before I say so
- (takes a past participle) forms the perfect or past perfect tense of certain intransitive verbs of motion, such as go or come ⇒
the last train is gone
- See be that as it may
Word Origin
Old English bēon ; related to Old High German bim am, Latin fui I have been, Greek phuein to bring forth, Sanskrit bhavati he isBE
Definitions
abbreviation for
- bill of exchange
- (in the US) Board of Education
- Bachelor of Education
- Bachelor of Engineering
be-
Definitions
prefix forming verbs and verbal derivatives
- (from nouns) to surround completely; cover on all sides ⇒
befog
- (from nouns) to affect completely or excessively ⇒
bedazzle
- (from nouns) to consider as or cause to be ⇒
befool
befriend
- (from nouns) to provide or cover with ⇒
bejewel
- (from verbs) at, for, against, on, or over ⇒
bewail
berate
Word Origin
Old English be- , bi- , unstressed variant of bībyTranslations
- British English:
be
You use be to say what a person or thing is like.She is very young.biː; bɪ VERB She is very young.
- Spanish:
ser
v
- French:
être
vi
- German:
sein
v
- Chinese: 是 v
- Arabic: يَكْون v
- Portuguese: ser v estar
- Russian: быть v
- Croatian: biti v
- Czech: být v
- Danish: være v
- Dutch: zijn v
- Finnish: olla v
- Greek: είμαι v
- Italian: essere v
- Japanese: いる v
- Korean: 존재하다 v
- Norwegian: være v
- Polish: być v
- Brazilian Portuguese: ser v estar
- European Spanish:
ser
v
- Swedish: vara v
- Thai: เป็น อยู่ คือ v
- Turkish: olmak v
- Vietnamese: là v
Usage examples
Or sometimes she would go into the building by herself -- either he'd already be there or he'd arrive shortly afterwards.
, THE EXECUTION (2002)Even though dormice are still declining, the rate of loss is now being stemmed, but there must be no let-up in the near future.
Country Life (2004)Abortion, by the standards of Catholic morality cannot be justified under any circumstances.
Irish Times (2002)He hoped the report would be adopted by the church, but warned it could take some time for change to be implemented.
Glasgow Herald (2001)More verses, greater and more secret ceremonies will be made known to you than to any of your mates.
, ABORIGINE DREAMING: Introduction to the Wisdom and Thought of the Aboriginal Traditions of Australia (2002)