come
come — verb
1. to go to the place where the speaker is, or to go somewhere together with the sp
to go to the place where the speaker is, or to go somewhere together with the speaker
Minh, please come here and look at this map I found.
come + adverb of direction (here)
The puppy came running when Rania called its name.
come + -ing verb
Can you come to my house after school tomorrow?
come + to + place
Zola came with us to the beach last weekend.
come with + someone
- come here
- come over
- come with
- come running
- come flying
- go
move away from the speaker instead of towards them
Grammar Patterns
come + adverb/direction (here, in, over)
come + to + place/person
come + -ing verb (running, flying)
come with + someone
Common Mistakes
2. to go towards the person you are talking to, reaching their location or joining
to go towards the person you are talking to, reaching their location or joining them there
I will come to your office at three with the paperwork.
come to + listener's location
Sahil asked us to come to his place for dinner on Friday.
come to + place (in context of listener)
Yumi is coming over to help me set up the new computer.
Asher told the children to come closer so he could read them a story.
come + comparative adjective (closer)
- come closer
- come over
- come to your place
- come there
- go
neutral movement toward any destination; does not carry the listener-anchored perspective
Grammar Patterns
come + to + person/place (listener's location)
come over + to + place
Usage Note
Sense 2 differs from Sense 1 in whose location is the target: Sense 1 moves toward the speaker's own position; Sense 2 moves toward the listener's position or a place the listener has mentioned.
Common Mistakes
3. to reach a place after travelling, or to become present with a particular purpos
to reach a place after travelling, or to become present with a particular purpose
The train came into the station five minutes behind schedule.
come into + place (arrival of vehicle)
Has the mail come yet? I am expecting a package from Japan.
Nikos came home very late after the party last night.
come home
Spring has finally come to the little village in the mountains.
come to (of seasons / events arriving)
- come home
- come to
- come into
- come late
- come early
- leave
to go away from a place instead of reaching it
Grammar Patterns
come + adverb (late, early)
come + to + place
come + -ing (of events, seasons)
4. to move out of a place, fall away from something, or be produced from a source
to move out of a place, fall away from something, or be produced from a source
Thick smoke came out of the kitchen window when Yael burned the toast.
come out of [place]
A strange crying sound came from the old house across the street.
The handle came off the mug while Paul was washing it in the sink.
come off [object]
Fresh drinking water comes from this spring in the hills above the town.
come from [source]
- come out
- come off
- come from
- come down
- come apart
Grammar Patterns
come + adverb/preposition (out, off, from, down)
Usage Note
This sense often combines with a preposition (out, off, from, down) that specifies the direction of movement away from a place or object.
5. to change into a different condition or position — for example, a knot coming un
to change into a different condition or position — for example, a knot coming undone, a wish coming true, or two sides of an argument coming together
The knot on my shoelace came loose while I was running in the park.
come + adjective (loose)
Everything you wished for has come true, and that is wonderful news.
come true
The rope came undone while Asher was tying the boat to the dock.
come undone
After weeks of work, the whole plan finally came together.
come together
- come loose
- come true
- come undone
- come apart
- come alive
- come together
Grammar Patterns
come + adjective (loose, true, undone, apart)
Usage Note
Common in fixed adjective pairs: come loose, come true, come undone, come apart, come alive. The adjective describes the resulting state, not an action.
Common Mistakes
6. to take place or occur, especially of an event, season, or natural phenomenon
to take place or occur, especially of an event, season, or natural phenomenon
A heavy rain came just as we started our picnic in the park.
The news of the flood came as a shock to everyone in the village.
come as + noun (come as a shock/surprise)
Help came from an unexpected place — a neighbour we barely knew.
Success did not come easily for Eric; he worked very hard for years.
come + adverb (easily, naturally)
- come as a shock
- come as a surprise
- come easily
- come naturally
- come to nothing
Grammar Patterns
come + as + noun/adjective
come to + someone (of event happening to a person)
Usage Note
Often used in fixed expressions: 'come as a surprise/shock', 'come easily/naturally', 'come to nothing'. The subject is typically an event, a feeling, or an abstract thing.
Common Mistakes
7. to appear at a particular position within a sequence that has already been arran
to appear at a particular position within a sequence that has already been arranged, such as the places runners finish in a race or the order of items on a list.
Iker came second in the school swimming competition last Friday.
come + ordinal position + in [competition]
In the English alphabet, the letter M comes after L but before N.
come before/after [item] for order in a sequence
Jisoo came third in the regional taekwondo tournament last month.
come + ordinal + in [event]
Dewi's name comes before mine on the class list because her surname starts with A.
Constanza came last in the spelling bee but still received a participation medal.
come last for lowest position
- come first
- come second
- come third
- come last
- come before
- come after
- come next
Grammar Patterns
come + ordinal + in/on [noun]
come before/after [noun]
Usage Note
Frequently used with ordinal numbers (first, second, third) or positional phrases like 'before', 'after', and 'next'.
Common Mistakes
8. to be present or available in a particular form, size, colour, or set of feature
to be present or available in a particular form, size, colour, or set of features.
This type of flower comes in many colours — red, pink, and white.
come in [colours/types] for available varieties
The instructions say a spare set of batteries comes with the toy.
come with [item] for included accessories
Saira asked the shop assistant whether the dress came in a larger size.
Cheese comes in many forms — soft, hard, and even spreadable.
The new smartphone comes with a two-year warranty and a free protective case.
come with [included item]
- come in [size/colour/form]
- come with [product/feature]
- come as [type]
- come in many varieties
- exist
more formal; does not emphasize forms or varieties
- be available
focuses on accessibility rather than inherent features
- occur
used for natural phenomena or events
Grammar Patterns
come in [size/colour/type]
come with [item]
come as [form]
Usage Note
Almost always followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase specifying how or where something exists. Not used in continuous tenses.
9. to gradually start doing or experiencing something, especially after a period of
to gradually start doing or experiencing something, especially after a period of time or after gaining new understanding.
After living in Taipei for a year, Tamar came to love the night markets and street food.
come + to-infinitive for gradual change in feeling
Baraka came to realize that his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut required years of study.
Over time, Rania came to understand why her grandmother always saved the best fruit for guests.
come to understand — gradual realization
Justin came to see that honest feedback, even when it is hard to hear, helps people improve.
Yuna came to accept that learning a new language takes patience and daily practice.
- come to realize
- come to understand
- come to love
- come to accept
- come to believe
- come to see
Grammar Patterns
come + to-infinitive
Usage Note
Always followed by an infinitive verb (come + to + verb). Describes a gradual shift in understanding, feeling, or behaviour rather than a sudden change.
Common Mistakes
10. to reach the highest point of sexual pleasure during sexual activity.
to reach the highest point of sexual pleasure during sexual activity.
Some people find it harder to come during intercourse than through other forms of stimulation.
The therapist encouraged the couple to talk openly about what helps each partner come more easily.
help + [person] + come for assisting sexual satisfaction
Nkechi asked the doctor whether her new medication might make it difficult to come.
The nurse explained that it is perfectly normal not to come every time you have sex.
Many pregnancy books discuss whether women can come during late pregnancy without harming the baby.
informal register: 'come' used in medical advice
- find it hard to come
- help someone come
- come easily
- come during [activity]
- have an orgasm
more clinical and precise
- climax
slightly more formal; common in sex-education materials
Usage Note
Informal but not vulgar; this is the most common everyday English word for having an orgasm. It is acceptable in casual conversation with a doctor, therapist, or partner.
come across
phrasal verbto find something or meet someone by chance without planning to
Sora came across an old photo album while cleaning the attic last week.
I came across a lovely little bookshop near the train station yesterday.
come back
phrasal verbto return to a place where you were before
Nikos promised to come back from Japan before his sister's wedding.
Yael came back to Taiwan after living abroad for five years.
come up with
phrasal verbto think of an idea, plan, or solution
The team came up with a clever way to reduce waste in the factory.
Can you come up with a good name for our new restaurant?
come in
phrasal verbto enter a room, building, or place
The teacher told the children to come in and sit down at their desks.
Please come in and take off your coat — make yourself at home.
come on
phrasal verbused to encourage someone to do something or to hurry up
Come on, Minh — we are going to miss the bus if you do not hurry.
Come on, you can finish the race — there is only one kilometre left.
come about
phrasal verbThis means to happen, especially in a way that is not planned.
How did the accident come about?
The change in policy came about slowly.
come after
phrasal verbThis means to follow or chase someone or something.
The dog came after the cat.
The police came after the thief.
come along
phrasal verbThis means to accompany someone or to make progress.
Would you like to come along with us?
How is your project coming along?
come around
phrasal verbThis means to visit someone or to change one's opinion.
Why don't you come around for dinner?
He finally came around to our point of view.
come at
phrasal verbThis means to move towards someone in a threatening way or to attack.
The man came at me with a knife.
She came at him with a lot of questions.
come away
phrasal verbThis means to leave a place or to become detached.
We came away from the meeting feeling hopeful.
The handle came away from the door.
come away with
phrasal verbThis means to leave a place with a particular feeling, result, or object.
She came away with a new understanding of the issue.
He came away with a prize from the contest.
come back in
phrasal verbThis means to return to a place or to become popular again.
Please come back in after the break.
That fashion style is coming back in.
come back to
phrasal verbThis means to return to a person, place, or topic.
Let's come back to that question later.
The memory came back to her suddenly.
come before
phrasal verbThis means to be presented to someone in authority for a decision or judgment.
The case will come before the judge next week.
This issue came before the committee yesterday.
come between and
phrasal verbThis means to interfere with or damage a relationship between two people.
Don't let money come between you and your friends.
Jealousy came between the two sisters.
come by
phrasal verbThis means to obtain something, often with difficulty, or to visit someone.
How did you come by that rare coin?
I'll come by your house later.
come down
phrasal verbThis means to move to a lower level, or to decrease.
The price of oil has come down.
She came down with a cold.
come down on
phrasal verbThis means to criticize or punish someone severely.
The teacher came down on him for cheating.
The court came down on the company heavily.
come down to
phrasal verbThis means to be the most important factor in a situation.
It all comes down to money in the end.
The decision came down to a single vote.
come down with
phrasal verbThis means to become ill with a particular disease.
He came down with the flu last week.
Many students came down with a cold.
come for
phrasal verbThis means to arrive to take someone or something away, or to attack.
The taxi came for us at eight.
The bull came for the farmer.
come forward
phrasal verbThis means to offer help, information, or to volunteer.
Several witnesses came forward after the accident.
No one came forward to claim the prize.
come from behind
phrasal verbThis means to win after being in a losing position.
The team came from behind to win the game.
She came from behind to take the lead.
come in for
phrasal verbThis means to receive something, especially criticism or blame.
The government came in for a lot of criticism.
He came in for praise for his work.
come into
phrasal verbThis means to enter a place or to inherit something.
She came into the room quietly.
He came into a large fortune.
come off it
phrasal verbThis is used to tell someone to stop saying something that is not true or silly.
Come off it! You don't really believe that.
Oh, come off it, you're exaggerating.
come on to
phrasal verbThis means to start talking about a subject, or to make romantic advances.
We'll come on to that topic later.
He was coming on to her at the party.
come out at
phrasal verbThis means to add up to a particular total or cost.
The total comes out at $50.
The bill came out at £30 per person.
come out in
phrasal verbThis means to become covered in something, like spots or a rash.
She came out in a rash after eating strawberries.
The baby came out in spots.
come out of
phrasal verbThis means to emerge from a place or situation.
He came out of the building quickly.
She came out of the experience stronger.
come out of yourself
phrasal verbThis means to become less shy and more confident in social situations.
Joining the club helped him come out of himself.
She needs to come out of herself and talk to people.
come out with
phrasal verbThis means to say something suddenly or unexpectedly.
He came out with a shocking statement.
She came out with a funny joke.
come over
phrasal verbThis means to visit someone, or to affect someone suddenly.
Why don't you come over for coffee?
A feeling of dizziness came over her.
come round
phrasal verbThis means to visit someone, or to regain consciousness.
Come round to my place later.
She came round after a few minutes.
come to yourself
phrasal verbThis means to become conscious again or to start behaving normally.
After the shock, she came to herself.
He needs to come to himself and stop acting crazy.
come under
phrasal verbThis means to be subjected to something, or to be classified under a category.
The company came under new management.
This topic comes under the heading of science.
come up
phrasal verbThis means to move upward, to be mentioned, or to happen soon.
The sun came up at six.
A problem came up at work.
come up against
phrasal verbThis means to encounter a problem or difficulty.
We came up against a lot of opposition.
She came up against a wall of silence.
come up for
phrasal verbThis means to reach the time for something, or to be considered for something.
The contract comes up for renewal next month.
He came up for election last year.
come upon
phrasal verbThis means to find or meet someone or something by chance.
I came upon an old friend in the park.
She came upon a hidden treasure.
come up to
phrasal verbThis means to reach a particular standard or level.
The results did not come up to our expectations.
Her performance came up to the required standard.
come apart
phrasal verbTo break into pieces or separate into parts.
The old book came apart in my hands.
Did the toy come apart when you dropped it?
come from
phrasal verbTo have a particular place or thing as your origin or source.
Maya comes from a small town in Mexico.
Where does this strange noise come from?
come of
phrasal verbTo be the result of something that happened earlier.
Nothing good came of their argument.
What will come of all this planning?
come off
phrasal verbTo become separated from something, or to happen successfully.
The handle came off the cup when I washed it.
Did the party come off as planned?
come out
phrasal verbTo appear, be published, or become known.
The new movie comes out next Friday.
The truth came out after the investigation.
come through
phrasal verbTo survive a difficult situation or to deliver what was promised.
Diego came through the surgery with no problems.
Did the report come through on time?
come to
phrasal verbTo reach a particular state or to regain consciousness.
The bill came to fifty dollars.
She came to after fainting in the heat.
come together
phrasal verbTo meet or join in a group, or for parts to combine successfully.
The community came together to help the family.
All the pieces came together perfectly for the project.
come to mind
idiomto suddenly appear in your thoughts as an idea or memory
When Felipe asked for a good restaurant, the name of that little Italian place came to mind.
Nothing useful came to mind during the meeting, so Rania stayed quiet.
when the subject or situation involves a particular thing or activity
When it comes to cooking, Yumi is better than any professional chef I know.
Paul is very patient when it comes to teaching young children how to read.
come into view/sight
idiomto become visible or able to be seen after not being visible before
As the bus climbed the hill, the ocean came into view through the trees.
The old castle came into sight after we turned the corner on the road.
This means someone is extremely clever, stupid, or has another quality to the highest degree.
My grandfather is as kind as they come.
That dog is as stubborn as they come.
come the…
idiomThis means to pretend to be a certain type of person or to act in a particular way.
Don't come the expert with me; you know nothing.
He tried to come the innocent, but we knew the truth.
come again?
idiomThis is used to ask someone to repeat what they said because you did not hear or understand.
Come again? I didn't catch your last word.
She said, "The meeting is at three." "Come again?"
come and go
idiomThis means to arrive and leave repeatedly, or to appear and disappear intermittently.
The pain in my back comes and goes.
Guests came and went all evening at the party.
This means that something is easy or natural for someone to do.
Math comes easily to my brother.
Public speaking comes naturally to Sara.
This means that something fails or has no successful result.
All our plans came to nothing in the end.
Her efforts did not come to anything.
This is used to add a related point to what has just been said.
I don't trust him, or his brother come to that.
If it comes to that, we could ask Maya for help.
come what may
idiomThis means no matter what problems or difficulties happen.
She promised to stay by his side come what may.
Come what may, we will finish the project on time.
how come (…)?
idiomThis is used to ask why something happened or how it is possible.
How come you are late again today?
He speaks French fluently. How come?
not come to much
idiomThis means that something is not important or does not become successful.
His big ideas never come to much.
The discussion did not come to much in the end.
to come
idiomThis means in the future.
In the years to come, technology will advance rapidly.
We will face many challenges in the time to come.
This means when the subject or activity is something.
When it comes to cooking, Diego is the best.
She is very patient when it comes to teaching children.
This means someone's ideas, beliefs, or reasons that explain what they say.
I understand where you are coming from now.
He didn't agree, but I see where he's coming from.
come — noun
1. the whitish liquid containing sperm that is released from a man's penis when he
the whitish liquid containing sperm that is released from a man's penis when he has an orgasm — an informal word for semen
The nurse explained that a small amount of come can contain millions of sperm.
uncountable noun used with 'a small amount of'
During the fertility test, Dr. Okonkwo asked the patient for a come sample.
collocation: come sample
The forensic report mentioned finding traces of come on the bedsheet.
collocation: traces of come
Some fertility clinics examine the quality of a man's come under a microscope.
The sex education video explained that sperm cells swim inside the liquid part of come.
partitive: liquid part of come
- a sample of come
- traces of come
- a drop of come
- come production
Grammar Patterns
uncountable: no plural form
usually preceded by a determiner (a sample of come / traces of come)
Usage Note
Frequently used in medical, forensic, or sex-education contexts despite being informal. The clinical term semen is preferred in academic writing and formal reports.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
The word "come" has several distinct sense groups that can confuse learners. MOVE (senses 1-2) is directional and speaker/listener-anchored: "come here" means toward the speaker, while "go there" means away. ARRIVE (sense 3) focuses on reaching a destination: "The train came at noon" (arrived). It overlaps with "arrive" but "come" is less formal and more common in everyday speech. HAPPEN (sense 6) applies to events or phenomena: "Rain came suddenly" (occurred). Use "happen" or "occur" in formal writing. BECOME (sense 5) expresses a change of state with adjectives: "The knot came loose" (became loose). Unlike "become", "come" only works with a fixed set of adjectives (loose, true, undone, apart, alive). COME TO (sense 9) with an infinitive marks a gradual realisation: "She came to understand the problem" — this is distinct from physical arrival. Example: "I came to the station" (ARRIVE) vs. "I came to like the music" (COME TO, gradual change).
Common collocations
Nouns
- come home
- come true
- come first/second/last
- come to mind
- come to an end
- come to nothing
- come as a shock/surprise
- come in handy
Adverbs
- come here
- come there
- come closer
- come nearer
- come late
- come early
- come easily
- come naturally
- come quickly
Phrases
- come to terms with
- come into view
- come to a stop
- come to life
- come to power
- come into being
- come of age
- come what may
Prepositions
- come from
- come with
- come to
- come into
- come across
- come out of
- come off
- come through
- come up to
- come down from
Etymology
Come comes from Old English cuman (來), from Proto-Germanic *kwemaną (來), from the Proto-Indo-European root *gwem- (踏步而來; to step, to come). The same PIE root produced Latin venīre (來; to come — source of English advent, convene, event) and Greek baínein (走; to walk). The basic meaning of moving toward a point has remained remarkably stable for over 5,000 years.