to link the subject of a sentence with a description, identity, or state
The sky is bright blue after the storm.
My brother is a talented painter.
✦ Old English “beon” and “wesan”, from Proto-Germanic roots meaning “to exist” and “to dwell”. These merged over time into the single modern verb “be”.
used with another verb’s present participle to form the continuous (progressive) tenses
She is studying for her exams right now.
We are waiting for the bus.
the form of the verb “be” that is used with “I” in the present tense
I am excited about the school trip tomorrow.
I am not hungry because I just ate lunch.
✦ From Old English “eom”, first-person singular of “beon/bēo”, related to German “bin” and Latin “sum”.
to exist, live, or remain alive
Dinosaurs were on Earth millions of years ago.
I just want to be happy.
present participle of “be”; used to show continuous action or describe someone’s behaviour
The children are being noisy today.
He is being very kind to the new student.
✦ “Being” as a present participle of “be” dates back to Old English, where present participles were formed with “-ende”, later becoming “-ing”.
to happen or take place, often indicating time or location of an event
The concert will be in the park on Saturday.
When will the birthday party be?
used with a past participle to form the passive voice
The homework was finished before dinner.
The new bridge is being built near the village.
To say or write something in reply to a question, letter, or comment.
Please answer the teacher when she calls your name.
He couldn't answer because his mouth was full of cake.
✦ From Old English “andswarian” meaning to make a reply.
To match, satisfy, or be suitable for a requirement or description.
The suspect did not answer the description given by witnesses.
This key doesn't answer the lock anymore.
✦ Developed from the idea of a reply that meets or satisfies something, extended to suitability.
(figurative) To develop fully or become successful and beautiful.
Her talent really began to flower after art school.
The small town flowered into a bustling city after the railway arrived.
✦ Metaphorical extension from sense ‘to bloom’.
to move something down or make its level, amount, or value smaller
The worker slowly lowered the heavy box onto the floor.
Please lower the volume; the baby is sleeping.
✦ From Middle English loueren, from Old Norse lægri meaning “less, not as high.”
to move downward or sink to a lower level
The drawbridge slowly lowered over the river.
As evening approached, the sun lowered behind the mountains.
✦ Same origin as the transitive verb sense, with intransitive use appearing in the 16th century.
the activity of creating paintings, drawings, music, literature, dance, or other works that people appreciate for their beauty or emotional power
Families spent the afternoon admiring modern art at the city museum.
Street art brightened the gray walls of the alley with bold colors and imaginative shapes.
✦ From Old French ‘art’, from Latin ‘ars’ meaning ‘skill, craft, workmanship’.
a painting, sculpture, photograph, or other individual work created by an artist
That landscape is my favorite piece of art in the whole gallery.
He bought a small watercolor art of the old town square as a souvenir.
a special skill or technique that is developed through practice and experience
The chef considers plating to be an art as important as taste.
She devoted months to learning the art of calligraphy.
the archaic second-person singular present tense of the verb “be,” used with “thou”
O Romeo, where art thou?
Thou art brave and true, my friend.
✦ Old English ‘eart’, the second-person form of ‘be’, becoming ‘art’ in Middle English and used until Early Modern English.
subjects such as literature, history, and languages that are studied for their creative or cultural value rather than for science or technology
The university offers scholarships to students who excel in the arts.
Mark chose to study the liberal arts instead of engineering.
Used with he, she, it, or a singular noun to say that someone or something is not.
The door isn't locked.
She isn't feeling well today.
