belong
verb (intransitive)
UK/bɪˈlɒŋ/US/bɪˈlɔːŋ/
To be in the right or suitable place, or to be the property of someone; to fit into or be part of a particular group, situation, or environment.
Example Sentences
This book belongs to me, so please return it when you finish reading.
She always felt she belonged in a peaceful, rural setting, close to nature.
The keys belong on the hook by the door, but they keep getting misplaced around the house.
If you truly wish to belong in this club, respect the rules and participate with integrity.
There’s a comforting sense of unity here, making every newcomer feel they belong and are valued.
When reorganizing your workspace, think carefully about each item to determine where it truly belongs for better efficiency.
Despite coming from different backgrounds, they discovered enough common ground to feel they belonged together in the same study group.
Some historians argue that ancient artifacts belong in museums, while others believe they should remain with their original communities to preserve cultural heritage.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Denotes fitting in or being correctly placed in a situation or group.“Belong” is a verb expressing that someone or something fits into a certain position or environment. You might say, “I feel like I belong here,” suggesting comfort or acceptance within a group. Similarly, “The missing book belongs on the shelf” conveys that the book’s rightful place is with others of its kind. When using “belong,” you often highlight alignment—whether emotional (e.g., having a sense of community) or physical (e.g., an item’s proper location). In social contexts, it underscores a feeling of being valued or recognized. Grammatically, “belong” often pairs with prepositions like “to” or “in”: “That coat belongs to me,” clarifies ownership, while “I belong in this city,” suggests personal connection or identity. So whether describing rightful possession, proper arrangement, or social acceptance, “belong” underscores the idea of things or people finding their correct setting or company.
Alternatives
If you need a synonym for “belong,” choose based on context. “Fit,” “go,” or “be a part of” can replace “belong” when talking about suitable placement. For instance, “That picture fits perfectly on the wall,” or “You go well with this team.” “Be rightful to” emphasizes ownership, as in “That prize is rightful to him.” If you’re stressing emotional alignment, you might say “feel at home” or “find one’s place”—like “I feel at home in this city.” For property or categorization, “be assigned to” or “pertain to” might be more formal. Each alternative shifts nuance: “fit” highlights suitability, “be a part of” signals group membership, and “be assigned to” or “pertain to” leans more technical or official. By choosing a term that specifies emotional, possessive, or organizational alignment, you capture the exact type of ‘belonging’ you intend.
Writing
In written form, “belong” often unites subjects with the environments, groups, or causes that suit them. When describing characters in a story, you might use “belong” to convey their search for identity (“He never truly felt he belonged anywhere”) or their discovery of community. In an essay or academic context, you could show how ideas or facts belong within certain frameworks or categories. If you’re exploring possession, “belong” clarifies ownership—“This artifact belongs to the museum.” Pairing “belong” with vivid details or emotional language can underscore how strongly someone feels connected to a place (“She knew she belonged in the countryside, where the rolling hills gave her a sense of peace”). By pinpointing rightful or natural associations, “belong” situates individuals, items, or concepts in contexts that feel coherent, complete, and resonant. In doing so, your writing taps into a universal theme: the drive to find or identify an appropriate role, home, or identity for something or someone.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “belong” comes up when discussing whether something fits somewhere or if someone feels comfortable in a situation. A friend might ask if your coffee mug “belongs” on the top shelf, implying that’s where you usually keep it. Talking about groups or events, you could say, “I don’t think I belong at this party,” showing you feel out of place. If a coworker remarks, “You really belong on our team,” it’s a friendly affirmation of your good fit. The phrase “belongs to” is also common—“That coat belongs to Sarah”—clarifying ownership. And if discussing personal identities or backgrounds, people might share stories of realizing they belonged in a particular town, cultural group, or lifestyle after spending time elsewhere. Whether about an item’s spot, group membership, or an emotional sense of fitting in, “belong” is an easy go-to word in casual dialogue for clarifying rightful or natural connections.
Etymology
“Belong” likely traces back to Middle English “belangen,” meaning ‘to pertain or to be appropriate to.’ The prefix “be-” can intensify or modify the base, while “longen” (related to modern “long”) suggests yearning, suitability, or entitlement to a place or situation. Over centuries, “belong” took on multiple layers—signifying both property rights (“This house belongs to them”) and existential harmony (“We belong together”). This dual usage—literal and figurative—endures in modern English, bridging ownership and emotional fit. Historical texts used “belong” in legal, moral, and communal senses, reflecting a universal human need to identify what is properly associated or allocated. Whether referencing an object’s rightful place or the unity among people, “belong” continues to signify correct alignment, emphasizing meaningful attachments or rightful possession.
