belong
belong
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "belong" is /bɪˈlɒŋ/.
Here's the breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
bi-: /bɪ/ (as in "bit")
-long: /lɒŋ/ (as in "song")
Word Form Variations
"Belong" is primarily a verb. Its variations are:
Verb (base form): belong
Verb (third-person singular present): belongs
Verb (present participle): belonging
Verb (past tense/past participle): belonged
While "belong" itself isn't a noun that changes form like singular/plural, the related noun is "belongings" (always plural).
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To be the property or possession of someone.
Definition: To be owned by a particular person, group, or entity, indicating ownership or rightful possession.
Synonyms: owned by, possessed by, held by, fall to
Antonyms: unowned, dispossessed, not belonging
Example: "This book belongs to the library."
To be a member of a particular group, organization, or category.
Definition: To have a natural or acquired association with a specific set of individuals, a social structure, or a classification, implying inclusion or affiliation.
Synonyms: be a member of, be part of, be associated with, be affiliated with, pertain to, relate to
Antonyms: excluded from, separate from, not belong to, an outsider
Example: "She feels like she truly belongs to the community."
To be in the proper place or situation; to be appropriate or suitable.
Definition: To be correctly situated or positioned within a given context, implying a sense of order, fitness, or natural placement.
Synonyms: fit, suit, be appropriate, be suitable, be proper, be in place
Antonyms: out of place, misplaced, unsuited, inappropriate
Example: "The keys belong on the hook by the door."
To have a natural or inherent connection or relationship with something else.
Definition: To be intrinsically linked or related to another item, concept, or idea, often implying a logical or customary pairing.
Synonyms: be connected to, be related to, be associated with, appertain to
Antonyms: unrelated to, unconnected with, separate from
Example: "This type of soil belongs to a volcanic region."
Examples of Use
Books:
"He longed for a place where he truly felt he belonged, a sentiment often explored in coming-of-age novels." (From a review of "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros, The New York Times Book Review, March 2024)
"The antique chest of drawers had been passed down through generations; it now belonged to his eldest niece." (From "The Gilded Age: A Novel" by Claire McMillan, October 2023)
Newspapers:
"The debate over where the artifacts truly belong continues to ignite discussion between museums and countries of origin." (The Guardian)
"Residents expressed a strong desire to belong to a community that prioritized green spaces and local businesses." (Chicago Tribune)
Online Publications:
"Does the future of work belong in a hybrid model, or will fully remote or in-office setups prevail?" (Forbes.com)
"Fans online debated which era of music this new artist's sound truly belonged to." (Pitchfork.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "You belong here, with us," a character might say to a newcomer in a fantasy film, offering acceptance. (Dialogue from a fictional movie, common theme)
Television Series: "These aren't my things; they belong to the previous tenant," a line spoken by an actor discovering misplaced items in a detective show. (Common plot device)
Music: "I found a place where I belong" (Lyrics from the song "Belong" by X Ambassadors, released November 2022)
Video Games: In many open-world games, a quest might involve returning an item to where it "truly belongs." (Common quest objective)
General Public Discourse:
"Children belong in schools, learning and growing, not out on the streets." (Statement by a local community organizer at a public meeting)
"These funds belong to the taxpayers, and they should be used responsibly." (Quote from a politician during a town hall meeting)
10 Quotes Using Belong
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” (Mother Teresa)
"The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave." (Ronald Reagan)
"The Earth does not belong to us: we belong to the Earth." (Chief Seattle)
"Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They came through you but not from you and though they are with you yet they belong not to you." (Khalil Gibran)
"I don't care to belong to any club that will have me as a member." (Groucho Marx)
"Growth is painful. Change is painful. But, nothing is as painful as staying stuck where you do not belong." (N. R. Narayana Murthy)
"True belonging doesn't require that we change who we are. It requires that we be who we are." (Brené Brown)
"No house should ever be on a hill or on anything. It should be of the hill. Belonging to it." (Frank Lloyd Wright)
"Once a song's out there, it's no longer mine. And that's the whole purpose of music: to belong to people." (Sade Adu)
"To betray, you must first belong." (Kim Philby)
Etymology
The word "belong" has a history that goes back to Old English!
It comes from a combination of two older words:
"be-": This was a prefix that intensified the meaning of the word that followed. Think of it like adding "really" or "very" to something.
"longen": This Old English word meant "to go," or "to pertain to," "to suit," or "to be fitting." It's related to the word "long" (as in "length"), but in this context, it was more about a connection or suitability.
So, when you put them together, "belong" originally meant something like "to really go along with," "to truly pertain to," or "to be really suited for."
The first known use of "belong" with a similar meaning to how we use it today appeared in the Middle English period (around the 14th century). At that time, it was used to mean "to go along with, properly relate to." Shortly after, in the late 14th century, the senses of "to be the property of" and "to be a member of" also became common.
Essentially, the idea was that if something "belonged" somewhere, it had a natural place there or a natural connection to it. This evolved into the different meanings we use today, like owning something, being part of a group, or simply being in the right place.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Belong
Where one belongs: The place where someone feels most comfortable, accepted, or naturally fits.
Belong to oneself: To be independent and self-sufficient; not controlled by others.
To whom it may concern / To whom these presents belong: Formal introductory phrase in documents where the recipient is not specifically known.
Belong in a museum/zoo: Used humorously or critically to suggest something is old-fashioned, strange, or out of place.
Does not belong here/there: Indicates something or someone is out of place or inappropriate for a situation.
Belong heart and soul: To be deeply committed or devoted to something or someone.
Belong on the scrap heap: To be old, obsolete, or no longer useful.
Belong with the ages: To be timeless or of enduring significance.
Feel like one belongs: To experience a sense of acceptance and integration within a group or place.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of belong from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
