Behave

Pronunciation: /bɪˈheɪv/

Definitions of behave

verb to act or conduct oneself in a specified way, especially in a social or polite manner

Example Sentences

A1 Children should behave well in school.

A2 The students were asked to behave during the field trip.

B1 It is important to behave professionally in a work setting.

B2 The athlete's behavior on and off the field will determine their reputation.

C1 The diplomat was expected to behave diplomatically during the negotiations.

C2 The CEO's ability to behave ethically will impact the company's success.

Examples of behave in a Sentence

formal It is important for employees to behave professionally in the workplace.

informal Please behave yourself at the party tonight.

slang Don't be a jerk, just behave.

figurative The storm caused the ocean to behave unpredictably.

Grammatical Forms of behave

• past tense: behaved
• plural: behave
• comparative: more behaved
• superlative: most behaved
• present tense: behave
• future tense: will behave
• perfect tense: have behaved
• continuous tense: is behaving
• singular: behaves
• positive degree: well behaved
• infinitive: behave
• gerund: behaving
• participle: behaving

Origin and Evolution of behave

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'behave' originated from the Middle English word 'behaven' which came from Old English 'behabban' meaning 'to hold, have, possess, or behave.'

Evolution of the word: Originally, 'behave' meant to hold or possess, but over time it evolved to mean conduct oneself in a particular way or manner.