belong

belongverb

To belong is to be owned by someone, to be a member of a group, or to be in the right or natural place.

1. owned bybe owned by someone

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj] not used in continuous tenses [no continuous]

   • This coat belongs to my sister. V + prep + obj
   • Who does this bag belong to? V + prep + obj
   • The land has belonged to the same family for generations. V + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + preposition belong to someone, belong to a family

   Synonyms go

   Compare own (own puts the owner as the subject: she owns the land; belong puts the thing as the subject: the land belongs to her)

   For translators (sense 1)

   Grammar trap The owned thing is the subject and takes to before the owner: this belongs to me, never this belongs me.

2. a memberbe a member of a group, a team, or a club

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj] not used in continuous tenses [no continuous]

   • Do you belong to any clubs at school? V + prep + obj
   • She belongs to the local swimming team. V + prep + obj
   • He no longer belongs to that political party. V + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + preposition belong to a club, belong to a team, belong to a group

3. the right placebe in the right or the natural place, or fit well with the people or things around it

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • These plates belong in the top cupboard. V + adv/prep
   • I never really felt like I belonged at that school.
   • That old chair doesn't belong in a modern kitchen.

   Collocations

   phrase feel like you belong, belong here, belong together

   Synonyms fit (for how well something matches its setting)

   For translators (sense 3)

   Meaning across languages Often used about people and their feeling of being accepted and comfortable in a place or a group, not only about where objects are kept.