behoove
Use Behoove in a sentence
verb (used with object)
1.
to be necessary or proper for, as for moral or ethical considerations; be incumbent on: It behooves the court to weigh evidence impartially.
2.
to be worthwhile to, as for personal profit or advantage: It would behoove you to be nicer to those who could help you.
verb (used without object)
3.
Archaic. to be needful, proper, or due: Perseverance is a quality that behooves in a scholar.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English behoven, Old English behōfian to need (behōf behoof + -ian infinitive suffix)
before 900; Middle English behoven, Old English behōfian to need (behōf behoof + -ian infinitive suffix)
Synonyms
2. benefit, advantage, serve, better, advance; suit, befit, beseem.
2. benefit, advantage, serve, better, advance; suit, befit, beseem.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To behoove
00:10
Behoove
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is skedaddle. Does it mean:
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
behove or (US) behoove (bɪˈhəʊv, bɪˈhuːv) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| archaic (tr; impersonal) to be necessary or fitting for: it behoves me to arrest you | |
| [Old English behōfian; related to Middle Low German behōven] | |
| behoove or (US) behoove | |
| —vb | |
| [Old English behōfian; related to Middle Low German behōven] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
behoove
O.E. behofian "to have need of," verbal form of the ancient compound word represented by behoof.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
And they said it may behoove him to demonstrate that he departs from his church's position on important issues.
But retaining these nurses in the workplace is something that would behoove all of us.
It may behoove a few people to remember that news channels do not always air news.
It would behoove you to go to the doctor before your lungs get trifected.
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