verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/bɪˈhəʊv/
rhymes with -əʊv
1
verb
Meaning 1
To suit; to befit.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
1803, Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Benjamin Rush April 21. It behoves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others; or their case may, by change of circumstances, become his own.
2001 January 16, Sir Raymond Whitney, in the House of Commons Hansard Debates for 16 Jan 2001 (pt 23), It behoves the Government to take note of that.
2003 November 3, Tariq Ali, “Resistance is the first step towards Iraqi independence”, The Guardian, Nor does it behove western commentators whose countries are occupying Iraq to lay down conditions for those opposing it.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From Middle English behoven, from Old English behōfian (“to need”), from behōf (“advantage, behoof, profit; need”). Cognate with Swedish behöva and Dutch behoeven.
Across languages
Translations
13 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
подобава
(podobava)
— to suit, to befit
Bulgarian:
дълг е на
(dǎlg e na)
— to suit, to befit
Catalan:
convenir
— to suit, to befit
Dutch:
betamen
— to suit, to befit
Dutch:
pаssen
— to suit, to befit
French:
convenir
— to suit, to befit
Galician:
convir
— to suit, to befit
Portuguese:
convir
— to suit, to befit
Russian:
подобать
(podobatʹ)
— to suit, to befit
Russian:
сле́довать
(slédovatʹ)
— to suit, to befit
Russian:
надлежа́ть
(nadležátʹ)
— to suit, to befit
Russian:
приличествовать
(priličestvovatʹ)
— to suit, to befit
