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be

SayBEE/bi//biː/

Formsis, being, was, were, been

17 meanings of be

Practice

  1. 1
    has a qualityverbirregular
    Used to say what someone or something is like, such as their look, age, size, or price.

    Like an equals sign between a thing and its description.

    The sky is blue today.

    You must be tired after that walk.

    UsageSay I am hungry and I am cold (not incorrect: I have cold).

    Note
  2. 2
    identityverbirregular
    Used to say who or what someone or something is, like 'She is a nurse.'

    My best friend is a math teacher at the local high school.

    Every square must be a rectangle.

    Note
  3. 3
    passive voiceverbauxiliaryirregular
    Used with a past participle to show that the subject has something done to it.

    The window was broken by the storm.

    Dinner will be served at eight.

    UsageUse by to say who or what did it: the window was broken by the wind.

    Note
  4. 4
    continuous tenseverbirregular
    Used with an -ing verb to show an action going on, as in 'she is walking'.

    The woman is walking to the station.

    By this time next week, we will be lying on a beach in Mexico.

    UsageSay I know (not incorrect: I am knowing). Say she is reading now.

    Note
  5. 5
    exist (with there)verbintransitivewith dummy subjectirregular
    To exist or be somewhere, as in 'There is a cat in the garden.'

    There is a small park just around the corner from our house.

    There will be trouble if we're late.

    UsageSay there is one egg, there are two eggs.

    Note
  6. 6
    locationverbintransitiveirregular
    To be in a certain place, as in 'the cup is on the table'.

    My keys are not here, but my wallet is in my bag.

    Where will you be at noon?

Practice

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Origin

From Old English, from very old Germanic roots. Its different forms (like "be", "was", "am", "is") actually come from three separate old verbs that were mixed together over time.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

  • The verb descends from Old English forms with earlier Germanic origins. en.wiktionary.org
  • The forms be, was, am and is reflect three originally separate verbal roots combined into one conjugation. gutenberg.org