be: meaning, pronunciation and examples

What does “be” mean?

1. 1

   verbused to describe or identify a person or thing

   My sister is a doctor.

2. 2

   verbto exist or be in a place

   There are three eggs in the fridge.

3. 3

   auxiliary verbused with other verbs to form continuous tenses and the passive

   She is watching TV, and the dishes are being washed.

“be” is on these word lists

• A1A1 English vocabulary (beginner)
• Common English verbs
• English function words: pronouns, prepositions and more

Learn these words next

• do verbA1to perform an action or activity
• have verbA1to own, hold or possess something
• let verbA1to allow someone to do something
• need verbA1to require something because it is important or necessary
• require verbB1to need something
• bestow verbC2to give an honor, gift or title to someone, formally