be | meaning of be in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE
be
be
2
●●●
S1
W1
verb
1
[
linking verb
]
BE
used to say that someone or something is the same as the subject of the sentence
My name is Susan.
These are my favourite pictures.
He’s my brother.
The problem is finding the time to get things done.
Our aim was to reduce the number of accidents.
2
[
intransitive always + adverb/preposition
]
PLACE
used to say where something or someone is
Jane’s upstairs.
Are my keys in the drawer?
The principal’s in his office.
How long has she been here?
3
[
intransitive always + adverb/preposition
]
TIME/AT A PARTICULAR TIME
used to say when something happens
The concert was last night.
The party is on Saturday.
4
[
linking verb
]
used to describe someone or something, or say what group or type they belong to
The sky was grey.
Spiders are not really insects.
Mr Cardew was a tall thin man.
She wants to be a doctor when she leaves school.
Her dress was pure silk.
I’m not ready yet.
6
[
linking verb
]
to behave in a particular way
He was just being rude.
Don’t be silly.
You’d better be careful.
7
[
linking verb
]
used to say how old someone is
His mother died when he was 20.
Rachel will be three in November.
8
[
linking verb
]
used to say who something belongs to
Whose is this bag? It isn’t mine and it isn’t Sarah’s.
9
[
linking verb
]
used to talk about the price of something
‘How much are the melons?’ ‘The big ones are £2 each.’
►
see
thesaurus
at
cost
10
[
linking verb
]
to be equal to a particular number or amount
32 divided by 8 is 4.
11
→
be that as it may
12
[
intransitive
]
EXIST
formal
to exist
What was once a great and powerful empire has effectively ceased to be.
13
→
be yourself
14
→
not be yourself
GRAMMAR: Linking verbs
Be
is a linking verb. This type of verb links the subject of the sentence with an adjective or noun:
The water was cold.
Leeds is a city in the north of England.
