being
being
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "being" is /ˈbiːɪŋ/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
First Syllable:
/b/ - voiced bilabial plosive
/iː/ - long close front unrounded vowel
Second Syllable:
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/ŋ/ - voiced velar nasal
Word Form Variations
The term "being" primarily functions as a noun or a present participle (verb form).
Noun:
Singular: being
Plural: beings
Verb (Present Participle):
being (This form does not have singular/plural variations in the same way as nouns.)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: The state or fact of existing; existence itself.
Synonyms: existence, actuality, reality, life
Antonyms: nonexistence, absence, void, oblivion
Definition: A living creature or entity, especially one capable of thought, feeling, and action.
Synonyms: creature, entity, organism, individual, person (for humans)
Antonyms: inanimate object, abstract concept, nothingness
Verb (Present Participle)
Definition: The continuous or ongoing state of existing or occurring. (Used as the present participle of the verb "to be," often indicating an ongoing process or condition).
Synonyms: existing, living, happening, occurring, becoming
Antonyms: ceasing, ending, stopping, concluding, departing
Examples of Use
Books:
"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. To die, to sleep— No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep— To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there's the rub, For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause. There's the respect That makes calamity of so long life." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet, published circa 1603) – Here, "being" is implied through the famous "to be" soliloquy, grappling with the concept of existence.
"The very being of the nation was at stake during the war." (From a historical account of World War II, specific book title varies by publisher, often found in texts published throughout the 20th and 21st centuries).
Newspapers:
"The new policy is being reviewed by the city council, with a decision expected by next month." (From a local newspaper article, e.g., The Daily Herald).
"Environmental groups are being vocal about the need for immediate climate action." (From an article in The Guardian).
Online Publications:
"Artificial intelligence is being developed at an unprecedented pace, raising ethical questions about its impact on human society." (From an article on Wired.com).
"The company's innovative approach is being hailed as a game-changer in the tech industry." (From a review on TechCrunch).
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
"This movie is being filmed on location in New Zealand, which provides stunning backdrops for the fantasy epic." (A statement from a film production company on their social media, e.g., X, March 2025).
"The new album is being streamed across all major music platforms, much to the delight of fans." (A post on a music news blog, e.g., Pitchfork, November 2024).
"The main character struggles with the very nature of his being after discovering his true origins." (A plot summary for a science fiction television series, found on IMDb, accessed throughout 2024-2025).
General Public Discourse:
"I'm being careful not to make any hasty decisions about my career path." (A casual conversation between friends, heard frequently in everyday life).
"The children are being unusually quiet today; I wonder what they're up to." (A parent speaking about their children).
10 Quotes Using Being
"To be, or not to be: that is the question." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet)
"The unexamined life is not worth being lived." (Socrates)
"Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does." (Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness)
"Happiness is not being loved, but loving." (Hermann Hesse)
"Science is being pushed at an enormous rate, and it is going to continue to be pushed, because that's the way man is." (J. Robert Oppenheimer)
"Every human being is the author of his own health or disease." (Buddha)
"The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook." (William James)
"Love is not an emotion, it is your very being." (Ram Dass)
"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting." (Sun Tzu, often associated with the concept of being strategically superior)
"The truth of a thing is in the taste of it, not in the sight of it." (attributed to a proverb, and relating to the essence of being)
Etymology
The word "being" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots back to ancient Germanic languages.
Think of it like this:
Going Way Back: The core of "being" comes from an Old English word called "bēon," which meant "to be," "to exist," or "to happen." This word itself has even older relatives in Proto-Germanic (an ancestor of many modern European languages) and even further back in Proto-Indo-European (the grand-grandparent of a huge family of languages).
Adding the "-ing": Over time, the "-ing" ending became a common way to show something that's happening now or is in a continuous state. So, when you put "be" and "-ing" together, you get "being," which literally means "the act of existing" or "the state of existing."
First Known Use and Meaning: The earliest known uses of "being" in Old English specifically referred to the concept of existence or the state of existing. It was used to talk about "that which exists" or "the very nature of existence." So, if someone said "God's being," they were talking about God's existence or essence. Later, it also started to mean a "living creature" or "person," because a living creature is something that is or exists.
In a nutshell, "being" essentially means "the state of existing" or "something that exists," and this core meaning has been present since its very beginnings in the English language.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Being
For the time being: For now; temporarily.
Human being: A person.
Being that as it may: Despite what has been said; nevertheless.
Being yourself: Acting naturally, authentically.
Being in the moment: Focusing on the present time.
Being a good sport: Having a good attitude, even when losing or facing a challenge.
Being on cloud nine: Extremely happy.
Being long in the tooth: Old.
Being up in the air: Undecided or uncertain.
Being under the weather: Feeling slightly unwell.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of being from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
