come
verb (intransitive)
UK/kʌm/US/kʌm/
To have in mind; to think or believe.
Example Sentences
I didn't catch what you came to say during the meeting.
She comes to mind whenever I think about resilience and determination.
When you come to consider all the facts, the decision becomes clearer.
They came to realize the importance of teamwork after facing several challenges together.
He comes to believe that honesty is the best policy, no matter the situation.
In her heart, she came to know that she had made the right choice.
As the project progressed, he came to understand the complexities involved in its implementation and the need for careful planning.
Upon reflecting on his experiences, he came to value the lessons learned and how they shaped his approach to future endeavors.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Indicates moving, arriving, or approaching from a different place or state.This verb features prominently in daily interactions, highlighting the act of moving closer, transitioning, or reaching a destination or new stage. You might use it for physical movement, such as when inviting someone to a location—“Please come in,” or “Come over this weekend for a barbecue.” It can also reflect emotional or abstract transitions: “Eventually, he’ll come to accept the changes in his life.” When using it in sentences, remember that the simple past tense is “came,” and the past participle is “come,” a point that sometimes causes confusion for learners. In questions—“Will you come with me?”—it serves as an invitation, suggesting unity of action or purpose. In imperative statements—“Come here!”—it creates a clear, direct command. When paired with prepositions or adverbs (e.g., “come up,” “come across,” “come by”), it creates phrasal verbs that alter its meaning, such as encountering something or making a brief stop. Whether indicating a literal journey across distance or a figurative journey toward understanding, this verb symbolizes movement from a prior state to a new one. By combining it with details—such as time, location, and motivations—you ensure clarity, guiding your listeners or readers to grasp precisely how someone or something is approaching a place or idea within your narrative or conversation.
Alternatives
If you find yourself using this verb repeatedly or in need of nuance, a range of synonyms can add variety. For physical movement, “arrive,” “approach,” or “reach” can emphasize the act of getting to a destination. “Go toward” might highlight a direction-based movement, while “draw near” feels more literary or poetic. For invitations, consider “join,” “visit,” or “show up,” each adjusting the tone and context slightly. Where you need to underscore acceptance or realization, phrases like “grow to understand” or “eventually recognize” might replace metaphors of movement in a figurative sense. Verbs such as “emerge” or “materialize” can add dramatic flair if you’re describing an unexpected or sudden appearance. For phrasal-verbs-based alternatives, “pop by,” “drop by,” or “swing by” keep a casual vibe when inviting someone to a place. Meanwhile, “approach the idea” or “move toward acceptance” can suit more formal or analytical writing. Each alternative conveys the sense of traveling—physically or metaphorically—yet allows you to adapt your diction to context, tone, and level of formality. By choosing the most fitting synonym, you broaden your expression of arrival, convergence, or realization without losing the essence of forward motion that “come” normally provides.
Writing
In writing, this verb helps direct a reader’s focus toward arrivals, forward progress, or transitions. In narratives, you can stage characters’ entrances with “come,” making their appearance feel immediate—“She heard footsteps, then saw him come around the corner.” This can build tension or drama, such as a mysterious figure coming into view. For exposition, the verb can act as a milestone or turning point—“Days later, the moment finally came when they decided to confront the issue.” In essays or analyses, “come” can mark a progression in the argument—“We now come to the study’s limitations,” signaling a shift from one topic to another. Yet, variety remains vital: overusing “come” may read as repetitive, so incorporating synonyms like “arrive,” “advance,” or “progress” will keep the prose lively. By pairing it with concrete details—describing who is coming, from where, and for what purpose—you emphasize the significance of the movement or shift. For instance, “Farmers come from distant villages every weekend to sell produce at this market” adds sensory detail, drawing readers into the scene. Whether you are sketching a dynamic moment in fiction or guiding readers through an academic argument, skillful deployment of “come” helps emphasize key arrivals, developments, and newly reached points within your text, adding momentum and clarity.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, you’ll find “come” sprinkled throughout invitations, instructions, and updates. You might say “Come on in” when a friend arrives, instantly making them feel welcome. If you plan a gathering, you might invite someone by saying, “We’re hanging out later—want to come?” It’s flexible enough to describe not only moving physically toward a location, but also joining a group or adopting a viewpoint—“I’ve finally come to see why you love this neighborhood.” People also use it when relaying events: “I have to come back tomorrow,” indicating a return, or “She came by yesterday,” mentioning a short visit. It can add urgency or encouragement in the form of an exclamation—“Come on!”—urging someone to take action or offering a mild rebuke if you think they’re hesitating or joking. Phrasal verbs like “come over,” “come up,” or “come through” are common in casual settings, each subtly shifting the meaning. For instance, “come over” suggests visiting someone’s place, while “come up” might indicate an unexpected topic or event. Its adaptability is part of its charm, so if the context is casual, using “come” ensures your remarks sound natural and friendly, letting others know they’re welcome or that you’re describing a straightforward, immediate move or arrival.
Etymology
This verb originates from the Old English “cuman,” meaning “to move with the purpose of reaching, arriving, or happening.” It shares common roots with various Germanic languages, reflecting the everyday necessity of describing travel, arrivals, and transitions in communities across Northern Europe. Over time, as Middle English evolved, “come” maintained its essential function of signifying the act of approaching or reaching a destination. Through centuries, the word grew to embrace figurative applications, including coming to a realization, decision, or conclusion. Its grammar has largely remained stable—retaining irregular past and participle forms—preserving a link to English’s Germanic heritage. The verb became central to idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs, all underscoring how movement and arrival are core elements of human interaction, whether physical or conceptual. Even as language modernized and diversified, “come” stayed prominent, reflecting our innate need to talk about joining, converging, and progressing. Its deep etymological ties to journeying and reaching a place ensure that, in contemporary usage, “come” continues to evoke purposeful movement and progression, whether describing a friend’s visit, a personal breakthrough, or a cultural shift that has gradually taken root.
