behave
behave Lexical Profile
behave Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To act or conduct oneself in a specified way, especially toward others.
"The guests behaved with great courtesy throughout the entire evening."
To conduct oneself in accordance with accepted norms of politeness, obedience, or propriety.
"The teacher asked the restless students to behave while the guest speaker was on stage."
To function, react, or operate in a particular manner under given conditions (of a machine, substance, or natural phenomenon).
"Researchers are studying how the new alloy behaves when exposed to extreme temperatures."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used without an adverb or modifier (or reflexively as 'behave oneself'), 'behave' specifically means to conduct oneself politely and properly; when modified by an adverb (e.g., 'behave badly'), it simply means to act in a specified manner.
• Rhymes for behave
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the 15th century from the prefix 'be-' and the verb 'have' in the sense of 'to bear or conduct oneself,' modeled after Middle French 'se contenir' and replacing Old English 'behabban' (to encompass or restrain).