behave

verb

OPAL WOPAL S

/bɪˈheɪv/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they behave	/bɪˈheɪv/ /bɪˈheɪv/
he / she / it behaves	/bɪˈheɪvz/ /bɪˈheɪvz/
past simple behaved	/bɪˈheɪvd/ /bɪˈheɪvd/
past participle behaved	/bɪˈheɪvd/ /bɪˈheɪvd/
-ing form behaving	/bɪˈheɪvɪŋ/ /bɪˈheɪvɪŋ/

Idioms

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[intransitive] + adv./prep. to do things in a particular way synonym act
- The doctor behaved very unprofessionally.
- They behaved very badly towards their guests.
- He behaved like a true gentleman.
- They behave differently when you're not around.
- He had always behaved in a friendly manner towards us.
- I expect you to behave in a certain way.
- She behaved with great dignity.
- He behaved as if/though nothing had happened.
In spoken English people often use like instead of as if or as though, especially in North American English: He behaved like nothing had happened. This is not considered correct in written British English.
Extra Examples
- I know I should have behaved differently.
- Children, if they are used to being treated with respect, will behave accordingly.
- Stop behaving like a three-year-old!
- People behave according to their own understanding of situations.
- Humans and machines sometimes behave similarly.
- The enquiry investigated whether officers had behaved correctly.
- the freedom to behave naturally
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- impeccably
- perfectly
- well
- …
preposition
- according to
- as if
- as though
- …
See full entry
[intransitive, transitive] to do things in a way that people think is correct or polite
- Will you kids just behave!
- She doesn't know how to behave in public.
- The children always behave for their father.
- behave yourself I want you to behave yourselves while I'm away.
opposite misbehave
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- impeccably
- perfectly
- well
- …
preposition
- according to
- as if
- as though
- …
See full entry
-behaved
(in adjectives) behaving in the way mentioned
- well-/badly behaved children
[intransitive] + adv./prep. (specialist) to naturally react, move, etc. in a particular way
- a study of how metals behave under pressure

Word Originlate Middle English: from be- ‘thoroughly’ + have in the sense ‘have or bear (oneself) in a particular way’ (corresponding to modern German sich behaben).

Idioms

behave/act as if you own the place | think you own the place

(disapproving) to behave in a very confident way that annoys other people, for example by telling them what to do
- She was acting as if she owned the place.