behave
behave
/bɪˈheɪv/
1 intransitive + adv./prep. to do things in a particular way The doctor behaved very unprofessionally.
They behaved very badly towards their guests.
He behaved like a true gentleman.
They behave differently when you're not around.
He had always behaved in a friendly manner towards us.
I expect you to behave in a certain way.
She behaved with great dignity.
He behaved as if/though nothing had happened.
In spoken English people often use like instead of as if or as though, especially in North American English: He behaved like nothing had happened. This is not considered correct in written British English.
Collocations
adverb
preposition
Will you kids just behave!
She doesn't know how to behave in public.
The children always behave for their father.
behave yourself I want you to behave yourselves while I'm away.
3 -behaved (in adjectives) behaving in the way mentioned
well-/badly behaved children
4 intransitive + adv./prep. (specialist) to naturally react, move, etc. in a particular way a study of how metals behave under pressure
Idioms
Word Origin
late Middle English: from be- ‘thoroughly’ + have in the sense ‘have or bear (oneself) in a particular way’ (corresponding to modern German sich behaben).