come (comes 3rd person present) (coming present participle) (came past tense )
The form come is used in the present tense and is the past participle.
Come is used in a large number of expressions which are explained under other words in this dictionary. For example, the expression `to come to terms with something' is explained at `term'.
1 verb When a person or thing comes to a particular place, especially to a place where you are, they move there.
Two police officers came into the hall... V prep/adv
Come here, Tom... V prep/adv
You'll have to come with us... V prep/adv
We heard the train coming... V
Can I come too?... V
The impact blew out some of the windows and the sea came rushing in. V -ing prep/adv
2 verb When someone comesto do something, they move to the place where someone else is in order to do it, and they do it. In British English, someone can also come and do something and in American English, someone can come do something. However, you always say that someone came and did something.
Eleanor had come to visit her... V to-inf
Come and meet Roger... V and v
I want you to come visit me. V inf
3 verb When you come to a place, you reach it.
He came to a door that led into a passageway. V to n
4 verb If something comes upto a particular point or downto it, it is tall enough, deep enough, or long enough to reach that point.
The water came up to my chest... V up/down prep
I wore a large shirt of Jamie's which came down over my hips. V up/down prep
5 verb If something comes apart or comes to pieces, it breaks into pieces. If something comes off or comes away, it becomes detached from something else.
The pistol came to pieces, easily and quickly... V adv/prep
The door knobs came off in our hands. V adv/prep
6 v-link You use come in expressions such as come to an end or come into operation to indicate that someone or something enters or reaches a particular state or situation.
The Communists came to power in 1944... V to n
I came into contact with very bright Harvard and Yale students... V into n
Their worst fears may be coming true. V adj
7 verb If someone comesto do something, they do it at the end of a long process or period of time.
She said it so many times that she came to believe it... V to-inf
8 verb You can ask how something cameto happen when you want to know what caused it to happen or made it possible.
How did you come to meet him? V to-inf
9 verb When a particular event or time comes, it arrives or happens.
The announcement came after a meeting at the Home Office... V prep/adv
The time has come for us to move on... V
There will come a time when the crisis will occur. there V n
coming n-sing usu the N of n
Most of my patients welcome the coming of summer.
10 prep You can use come before a date, time, or event to mean when that date, time, or event arrives. For example, you can say come the spring to mean `when the spring arrives'.
Come the election on the 20th of May, we will have to decide...
11 verb If a thought, idea, or memory comes to you, you suddenly think of it or remember it.
(=occur)
He was about to shut the door when an idea came to him... V to n
Then it came to me that perhaps he did understand. it V to n that
12 verb If money or property is going to come to you, you are going to inherit or receive it.
He did have pension money coming to him when the factory shut down. V to n
13 verb If a case comes before a court or tribunal or comes to court, it is presented there so that the court or tribunal can examine it.
The membership application came before the Council of Ministers in September... V before n
President Cristiani expected the case to come to court within ninety days. V to n
14 verb If something comes to a particular number or amount, it adds up to it.
Lunch came to $80. V to amount
15 verb If someone or something comes from a particular place or thing, that place or thing is their origin, source, or starting point.
Nearly half the students come from abroad... V from n
Chocolate comes from the cacao tree... V from n
The term `claret', used to describe Bordeaux wines, may come from the French word `clairet'. V from n
16 verb Something that comes from something else or comes of it is the result of it.
There is a feeling of power that comes from driving fast... V from n/-ing
He asked to be transferred there some years ago, but nothing came of it. V of n/-ing
17 verb If someone or something comes first, next, or last, they are first, next, or last in a series, list, or competition.
The two countries have been unable to agree which step should come next... V ord
The horse had already won at Lincolnshire and come second at Lowesby. V ord
18 verb If a type of thing comesin a particular range of colours, forms, styles, or sizes, it can have any of those colours, forms, styles, or sizes.
Bikes come in all shapes and sizes... V in n
The wallpaper comes in black and white only. V in n
19 verb You use come in expressions such as it came as a surprise when indicating a person's reaction to something that happens.
Major's reply came as a complete surprise to the House of Commons... V as n to n
The arrest has come as a terrible shock. V as n
20 verb The next subject in a discussion that you come to is the one that you talk about next.
Finally in the programme, we come to the news that the American composer and conductor, Leonard Bernstein, has died... V to n
That is another matter altogether. And we shall come to that next. V to n
21 verb To come means to have an orgasm.
INFORMAL V
22
→
coming
→
comings and goings
23 If you say that someone is, for example, as good as they come, or as stupid as they come, you are emphasizing that they are extremely good or extremely stupid.
as good/stupid/quick etc as they come phrase
(emphasis)
The new finance minister was educated at Oxford and is as traditional as they come.
24 You can use the expression when it comes down to it or when you come down to it for emphasis, when you are giving a general statement or conclusion.
when you come/it comes down to it phrase PHR with cl (emphasis)
When you come down to it, however, the basic problems of life have not changed...
25 If you say that someone has it coming to them, you mean that they deserve everything bad that is going to happen to them, because they have done something wrong or are a bad person. If you say that someone got what was coming to them, you mean that they deserved the punishment or bad experience that they have had.
INFORMAL
to have it/get what's coming to you phrase V inflects
He was pleased that Brady was dead because he probably had it coming to him.
26 You use the expression come to think of it to indicate that you have suddenly realized something, often something obvious.
come to think of it phrase PHR with cl
You know, when you come to think of it, this is very odd.
27 When you refer to a time or an event to come or one that is still to come, you are referring to a future time or event.
to come phrase usu n PHR, also v-link PHR
I hope in years to come he will reflect on his decision..., The worst of the storm is yet to come.
28 You can use the expression when it comes to or when it comes down to in order to introduce a new topic or a new aspect of a topic that you are talking about.
when it comes (down) to phrase PHR n/-ing
Most of us know we should cut down on fat. But knowing such things isn't much help when it comes to shopping and eating..., However, when it comes down to somebody that they know, they have a different feeling.
29 You can use expressions like I know where you're coming from or you can see where she's coming from to say that you understand someone's attitude or point of view.
where someone is coming from phrase V inflects
To understand why they are doing it, it is necessary to know where they are coming from... come about phrasal verb When you say how or when something came about, you say how or when it happened.
Any possible solution to the Irish question can only come about through dialogue... V P through n
That came about when we went to Glastonbury last year... V P
Thus it came about that, after many years as an interior designer and antiques dealer, he combined both businesses. it V P that come across
1 phrasal verb If you come across something or someone, you find them or meet them by chance.
(=encounter)
I came across a group of children playing. V P n
2 phrasal verb If someone or what they are saying comes across in a particular way, they make that impression on people who meet them or are listening to them.
(=come over)
When sober he can come across as an extremely pleasant and charming young man... V P as n
He came across very, very well. V P adv come along
1 phrasal verb You tell someone to come along to encourage them in a friendly way to do something, especially to attend something.
(=come on)
There's a big press launch today and you're most welcome to come along. V P
2 convention You say `come along' to someone to encourage them to hurry up, usually when you are rather annoyed with them.
(=come on)
Come along, Osmond. No sense in your standing around.
3 phrasal verb When something or someone comes along, they occur or arrive by chance.
I waited a long time until a script came along that I thought was genuinely funny... V P
It was lucky you came along. V P
4 phrasal verb If something is coming along, it is developing or making progress.
Pentagon spokesman Williams says those talks are coming along quite well... V P adv
How's Ferguson coming along? V P come around
in BRIT, also use come round
1 phrasal verb If someone comes around or comes roundto your house, they call there to see you.
(=come over)
Beryl came round this morning to apologize... V P
Quite a lot of people came round to the house. V P to n
2 phrasal verb If you come around or come roundto an idea, you eventually change your mind and accept it or agree with it.
It looks like they're coming around to our way of thinking... V P to n
She will eventually come round. V P
3 phrasal verb When something comes around or comes round, it happens as a regular or predictable event.
I hope still to be in the side when the World Cup comes around next year. V P
4 phrasal verb When someone who is unconscious comes around or comes round, they recover consciousness.
(=come to)
When I came round I was on the kitchen floor. V P come at phrasal verb If a person or animal comes at you, they move towards you in a threatening way and try to attack you.
He maintained that he was protecting himself from Mr Cox, who came at him with an axe. V P n with n, Also V P n come back
1 phrasal verb If something that you had forgotten comes backto you, you remember it.
He was also an MP<endash>I'll think of his name in a moment when it comes back to me... V P to n
When I thought about it, it all came back. V P
2 phrasal verb When something comes back, it becomes fashionable again.
I'm glad hats are coming back. V P
3
→
comeback come back to phrasal verb If you come back to a topic or point, you talk about it again later.
`What does that mean please?'—`I'm coming back to that. Just write it down for the minute.' V P P n come between phrasal verb If someone or something comes between two people, or comes between a person and a thing, they make the relationship or connection between them less close or happy.
no passive
It's difficult to imagine anything coming between them... V P pl-n come by phrasal verb To come by something means to obtain it or find it.
How did you come by that cheque?... V P n come down
1 phrasal verb If the cost, level, or amount of something comes down, it becomes less than it was before., (Antonym: go up)
Interest rates should come down... V P
If you buy three bottles, the bottle price comes down to £2.42... V P to/from n
The price of petrol is coming down by four pence a gallon. V P by n
2 phrasal verb If something comes down, it falls to the ground.
The cold rain came down... V P come down on
1 phrasal verb If you come down on one side of an argument, you declare that you support that side.
He clearly and decisively came down on the side of President Rafsanjani. V P P n
2 phrasal verb If you come down on someone, you criticize them severely or treat them strictly.
If Douglas came down hard enough on him, Dale would rebel. V P P n come down to phrasal verb If a problem, decision, or question comes down to a particular thing, that thing is the most important factor involved.
Walter Crowley says the problem comes down to money... V P P n
I think that it comes down to the fact that people do feel very dependent on their automobile... it V P P n
What it comes down to is, there are bad people out there, and somebody has to deal with them. it V P P n come down with phrasal verb If you come down with an illness, you get it.
Thomas came down with chickenpox at the weekend. V P P n come for phrasal verb If people such as soldiers or police come for you, they come to find you, usually in order to harm you or take you away, for example to prison.
Lotte was getting ready to fight if they came for her. V P n come forward phrasal verb If someone comes forward, they offer to do something or to give some information in response to a request for help.
A vital witness came forward to say that she saw Tanner wearing the boots. V P come in
1 phrasal verb If information, a report, or a telephone call comes in, it is received.
Reports are now coming in of trouble at yet another jail. V P
2 phrasal verb If you have some money coming in, you receive it regularly as your income.
usu cont
She had no money coming in and no funds. V P
3 phrasal verb If someone comes inon a discussion, arrangement, or task, they join it.
Can I come in here too, on both points?... V P on n
He had a designer come in and redesign the uniforms. V P
4 phrasal verb When a new idea, fashion, or product comes in, it becomes popular or available.
It was just when geography was really beginning to change and lots of new ideas were coming in... V P
5 phrasal verb If you ask where something or someone comes in, you are asking what their role is in a particular matter.
Rose asked again, `But where do we come in, Henry?' V P
6 phrasal verb When the tide comes in, the water in the sea gradually moves so that it covers more of the land.
V P (Antonym: go out)
come in for phrasal verb If someone or something comes in for criticism or blame, they receive it.
The plans have already come in for fierce criticism in many quarters of the country. V P P n come into
1 phrasal verb If someone comes into some money, some property, or a title, they inherit it.
no passive
(=inherit)
My father has just come into a fortune in diamonds. V P n
2 phrasal verb If someone or something comes into a situation, they have a role in it.
no passive
We don't really know where Hortense comes into all this... V P n come off
1 phrasal verb If something comes off, it is successful or effective.
It was a good try but it didn't quite come off... V P
2 phrasal verb If someone comes off worst in a contest or conflict, they are in the worst position after it. If they come off best, they are in the best position.
Some Democrats still have bitter memories of how, against all odds, they came off worst during the inquiry... V P adv
3 phrasal verb If you come off a drug or medicine, you stop taking it.
no passive
...people trying to come off tranquillizers. V P n
4 convention You say `come off it' to someone to show them that you think what they are saying is untrue or wrong.
INFORMAL, SPOKEN come on
1 convention You say `Come on' to someone to encourage them to do something they do not much want to do.
SPOKEN
(=come along)
Come on Doreen, let's dance.
2 convention You say `Come on' to someone to encourage them to hurry up.
SPOKEN
(=come along)
3 phrasal verb If you have an illness or a headache coming on, you can feel it starting.
usu cont
Tiredness and fever are much more likely to be a sign of flu coming on. V P
4 phrasal verb If something or someone is coming on well, they are developing well or making good progress.
usu cont
(=come along)
Lee is coming on very well now and it's a matter of deciding how to fit him into the team... V P adv
5 phrasal verb When something such as a machine or system comes on, it starts working or functioning., (Antonym: go off)
The central heating was coming on and the ancient wooden boards creaked. V P
6 phrasal verb If a new season or type of weather is coming on, it is starting to arrive.
usu cont
Winter was coming on again... V P
I had two miles to go and it was just coming on to rain. it V P to-inf come on to
1 phrasal verb When you come on to a particular topic, you start discussing it.
We're now looking at a smaller system but I'll come on to that later. V P P n
2 phrasal verb If someone comes on to you, they show that they are interested in starting a sexual relationship with you.
INFORMAL I don't think that a woman, by using make-up, is trying to come on to a man. V P P n come out
1 phrasal verb When a new product such as a book or CD comes out, it becomes available to the public.
The book comes out this week... V P
2 phrasal verb If a fact comes out, it becomes known to people.
The truth is beginning to come out about what happened... V P
It will come out that she has covertly donated considerable sums to the IRA. it V P that
3 phrasal verb When a gay person comes out, they let people know that they are gay.
...the few gay men there who dare to come out... V P
I came out as a lesbian when I was still in my teens. V P as n/adj
4 phrasal verb To come out in a particular way means to be in the position or state described at the end of a process or event.
In this grim little episode of recent American history, few people come out well... V P adv/prep
So what makes a good marriage? Faithfulness comes out top of the list... V P adj
Julian ought to have resigned, then he'd have come out of it with some credit. V P of n adv/prep
5 phrasal verb If you come outfor something, you declare that you support it. If you come outagainst something, you declare that you do not support it.
Its members had come out virtually unanimously against the tests. V P prep/adv
6 phrasal verb When a group of workers comes out on strike, they go on strike.
(BRIT)
On September 18 the dockers again came out on strike. V P prep
in AM, use go out on strike
7 phrasal verb If a photograph does not come out, it does not appear or is unclear when it is developed and printed.
None of her snaps came out. V P
8 phrasal verb When the sun, moon, or stars come out, they appear in the sky., (Antonym: go in)
Oh, look. The sun's come out. V P come out in phrasal verb If you come out in spots, you become covered with them.
(BRIT) no passive
(=break out in)
When I changed to a new soap I came out in a terrible rash. V P P n
in AM, use break out come out with phrasal verb If you come out with a remark, especially a surprising one, you make it.
no passive
Everyone who heard it just burst out laughing when he came out with it... V P n come over
1 phrasal verb If a feeling or desire, especially a strange or surprising one, comes over you, it affects you strongly.
no passive
As I entered the corridor which led to my room that eerie feeling came over me... V P n
I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. V P n
2 phrasal verb If someone comes overall dizzy or shy, for example, they suddenly start feeling or acting in that way.
When Connie pours her troubles out to him, Joe comes over all sensitive... V P adj
3 phrasal verb If someone or what they are saying comes over in a particular way, they make that impression on people who meet them or are listening to them.
(=come across)
You come over as a capable and amusing companion... V P as n come round
→
come around come through
1 phrasal verb To come through a dangerous or difficult situation means to survive it and recover from it.
no passive
The city had faced racial crisis and come through it... V P n
2 phrasal verb If a feeling or message comes through, it is clearly shown in what is said or done.
(=come across)
I hope my love for the material came through, because it is a great script... V P
3 phrasal verb If something comes through, it arrives, especially after some procedure has been carried out.
The news came through at about five o'clock on election day. V P
4 phrasal verb If you come through with what is expected or needed from you, you succeed in doing or providing it.
He puts his administration at risk if he doesn't come through on these promises for reform... V P on/with n
We found that we were totally helpless, and our women came through for us. V P for n come to phrasal verb When someone who is unconscious comes to, they recover consciousness.
(=come around)
When he came to and raised his head he saw Barney. V P come under
1 phrasal verb If you come under attack or pressure, for example, people attack you or put pressure on you.
no passive
His relationship with the KGB came under scrutiny. V P n
2 phrasal verb If something comes under a particular authority, it is managed or controlled by that authority.
no passive
They were neglected before because they did not come under the Ministry of Defence. V P n
3 phrasal verb If something comes under a particular heading, it is in the category mentioned.
no passive
There was more news about Britain, but it came under the heading of human interest. V P n come up
1 phrasal verb If someone comes up or comes upto you, they approach you until they are standing close to you.
Her cat came up and rubbed itself against their legs... V P
He came up to me and said: `Come on, John.' V P to n
2 phrasal verb If something comes up in a conversation or meeting, it is mentioned or discussed.
(=crop up)
The subject came up at a news conference in Peking today... V P
3 phrasal verb If something is coming up, it is about to happen or take place.
We do have elections coming up. V P
4 phrasal verb If something comes up, it happens unexpectedly.
I was delayed<endash>something came up at home... V P
5 phrasal verb If a job comes up or if something comes upfor sale, it becomes available.
A research fellowship came up at Girton and I applied for it and got it... V P
The house came up for sale and the couple realised they could just about afford it. V P for n
6 phrasal verb When the sun or moon comes up, it rises., (Antonym: go down)
It will be so great watching the sun come up. V P
7 phrasal verb In law, when a case comes up, it is heard in a court of law.
He is one of the reservists who will plead not guilty when their cases come up. V P come up against phrasal verb If you come up against a problem or difficulty, you are faced with it and have to deal with it.
We came up against a great deal of resistance in dealing with the case. V P P n come up for phrasal verb When someone or something comes upfor consideration or action of some kind, the time arrives when they have to be considered or dealt with.
The TV rights contract came up for renegotiation in 1988... V P P n come upon
1 phrasal verb If you come upon someone or something, you meet them or find them by chance.
(=come across)
I came upon an irresistible item at a yard sale. V P n
2 phrasal verb If an attitude or feeling comes upon you, it begins to affect you.
LITERARY A sense of impending doom came upon all of us. V P n come up to phrasal verb To be coming up to a time or state means to be getting near to it.
usu cont
(=approach)
It's just coming up to ten minutes past eleven now. V P P n come up with
1 phrasal verb If you come up with a plan or idea, you think of it and suggest it.
Several of the members have come up with suggestions of their own... V P P n
2 phrasal verb If you come up with a sum of money, you manage to produce it when it is needed. If Warren can come up with the $15 million, we'll go to London. V P P n
come-on (come-ons plural )A come-on is a gesture or remark which someone, especially a woman, makes in order to encourage another person to make sexual advances to them.
INFORMAL n-count
He ignores come-ons from the many women who seem to find him attractive.
