belong

be|long

W2S2 [bıˈlɔŋ US bıˈlo:ŋ] v [I not in progressive]

[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: long 'to be suitable' (12-19 centuries), from Old English gelang 'dependent on']

1.) [always + adverb/preposition]

if something belongs somewhere, that is the right place or situation for it

▪ Put the chair back where it belongs.

belong in

▪ an attitude that doesn't belong in modern society

2.) if you feel you belong in a place or situation, you feel happy and comfortable in it, because you have the same interests and ideas as other people

▪ I worked there for five years but never really felt I belonged.

>belonging n [U]

▪ It's important to have a sense of belonging (=a feeling that you are happy and comfortable somewhere) .

belong to / [belong to sb/sth] phr v

1.) if something belongs to someone, they own it

▪ The house belonged to my grandfather.

▪ Who does this scarf belong to?

2.) to be a member of a group or organization

▪ He belongs to the golf club.

3.) to be related to something or form part of it

▪ cars that belong to a different era

4.) to be related to or produced by a particular person

▪ She recognized the voice as belonging to the man who had attacked her.

5.) if a competition or period of time belongs to someone, they are the most important or successful person in it

▪ All the acts were good, but the evening belonged to a dance group from Moscow.