Belong
/bɪˈlɒŋ/noun
To be properly associated with, owned by, or situated in a particular place or group.
Did you know?The word originally expressed relationship or pertinence—long before it developed its modern emotional sense of fitting into a group.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*langōn
“To pertain or be associated with; related to the root meaning “long” or “along.””
Old English
Old English
gelang
“At hand, available, or belonging to; formed with the prefix ge- and a Germanic root related to “long.””
Middle English
Middle English
bilongen
“To belong to, pertain to, or be the property of.”
14th Century
Middle English
belongen
“To be connected with or properly associated with someone or something.”
15th Century
English
belong
“To be the property of; to be a member of or attached to.”
Modern English
English
belong
“To be appropriately connected with a person, place, group, or thing.”