belong

belong — verb

1. to be where something or someone should correctly be kept, stored, or placed.

1.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to be where something or someone should correctly be kept, stored, or placed.

Example

Yusuf put the kettle back on the shelf where it belongs.

belong + where-clause indicating correct location

These winter coats belong in the hallway closet, not on the kitchen chairs.

belong + in/on prepositional phrase

Common collocations
  • belong here
  • belong there
  • belong in
  • belong on
  • belong with
Synonyms
  • go

    very informal; same idea of 'has its proper place there'

  • fit

    stresses suitability rather than a fixed location

Grammar Patterns

belong + adverb/prepositional phrase of location

Usage Note

Always followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase showing location (in, on, with, here, there, where). Without that complement the sentence sounds incomplete to native ears.

Common Mistakes

These books belong.
These books belong on the top shelf.
this sense always needs a place phrase after the verb.
The map belongs to the drawer.
The map belongs in the drawer.
use 'in/on/at' for location; 'belong to' means ownership.

2. to feel relaxed and accepted in a place or among a group of people, as if you ar

2.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to feel relaxed and accepted in a place or among a group of people, as if you are part of it.

Example

After three lonely months in Tokyo, Mei finally felt that she belonged.

absolute use: subject + belonged (no complement)

Linnea never belonged with the loud, sporty crowd at her old school.

belong + with + group of people

Common collocations
  • really belong
  • feel like one belongs
  • never belong
  • belong with someone
Synonyms
  • fit in

    very common informal phrasal verb for the same idea, especially among peers

  • feel at home

    fixed expression; more about comfort than identity

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

belong (used alone or with 'here/there/with someone')

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense focuses on emotional fit, not physical location, and is often used without any complement (just 'she belongs', 'we don't belong'). Frequently follows verbs of feeling: 'feel/sense/seem to belong'.

Common Mistakes

I am belonging here now.
I belong here now.
this is a stative verb; do not use the progressive form.
She belongs at the team.
She belongs with the team.' / 'She belongs on the team.
use 'with' for the group, 'on' for sports/work teams.
Phrasal verbs

belong to

phrasal verb

if something belongs to a person, that person owns it; if a person belongs to a group, club, or country, they are a member or citizen of it.

The red bicycle by the gate belongs to the boy in apartment 4B.

Mei has belonged to the local hiking club since she moved to Hualien.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

All four describe being comfortable in a group or place, but the focus differs. 'Belong' is the deepest of the four — it suggests an inner sense that this is your rightful place, not just that others tolerate you. 'Fit in' is the most everyday word and is about matching the people around you in dress, talk, or interests; you can fit in without truly belonging. 'Feel at home' is warmer and more domestic, used when a place or host makes you relaxed, often after a short visit. 'Blend in' is more visual and sometimes negative — it means you are not noticed as different, which is useful but lonely. So a new student might blend in by week one, fit in by month one, feel at home by month three, and only later say she truly belongs.

belong ↗fit in ↗feel at homeblend in ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • truly belong
  • really belong
  • rightfully belong
  • properly belong

Phrases

  • where one belongs
  • feel like one belongs
  • do not belong here

Prepositions

  • belong in
  • belong on
  • belong at
  • belong with
  • belong to
  • belong among

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Belong came into English in the 14th century as a strengthened form of an older verb 'long', which meant 'to be the property or duty of'. The 'be-' prefix added the idea of fully or thoroughly, giving the new verb the sense 'to go properly with'. From that root grew today's two main meanings: physical fit (where something rightly sits) and emotional fit (where a person feels at home). The ownership use, as in 'belong to', developed slightly later and is now the most familiar pattern.