behove

Meaning

1. (formal, transitive) To befit, to suit.
2. (formal, transitive) To be necessary for (someone).
3. (formal, transitive) To be in the best interest of; to benefit.
4. (formal, intransitive) To be needful, meet or becoming.

Synonyms

behoove

be suitable

befit

fit

have to

seem

come in handy

Translations

ανήκει

ταιριάζει

πρέπει

übereinstimmen

ziemen

anstehen

αρμόζει

επιβάλλεται

concorder

être décent

convenir à

incomber

incomber à

convenirsi

betamen

Pronounced as (IPA)

/bɪˈhəʊv/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: behoven

Inherited from Old English: behōfian

Cognate with Old Frisian: bihōvia

Cognate with Dutch: behoeven

Cognate with German: behufen

Cognate with Danish: behøve

Cognate with Norwegian: behøve

Cognate with Swedish: behöva

In summary

From Middle English behoven, bihoven (“to be necessary, requisite; to be compelled or required (to do something)”), from Old English behōfian (“to need; to be necessary”), from Proto-Germanic *bihōfōną (“to benefit, behove, need”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *keh₂p- (“to grab, seize”). The word is cognate with Old Frisian bihōvia (“to need”), Dutch behoeven (“to need”), obsolete German behufen (cf. Behuf), Danish behøve (“to need”), Norwegian behøve (“to need”), Swedish behöva (“to have use for, to need”).