How do you use the word "behave" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "behave": You are old enough to behave yourself. Now that you're grown up, you must not behave like that.

Behave Meaning

/bɪˈheɪv/

Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

verbTo conduct (oneself) well, or in a given way; to conform.

verbTo act, conduct oneself in a specific manner; used with an adverbial of manner.

Sentence Examples

You are old enough to behave yourself.

Now that you're grown up, you must not behave like that.

Boys and girls may behave differently.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

carry bear conduct

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

The teacher told the students to ____ properly during the exam or face punishment.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

Please try to ____ yourself during the visit to the historical museum.

Word Origin & History

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁ep-der. Proto-Indo-European *h₁épsder. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epider. Proto-Indo-European *h₁pi Proto-Germanic *bider. Proto-Germanic *bi- Proto-West Germanic *bi- Proto-Indo-European *kap-der. Proto-Germanic *habjaną Proto-West Germanic *habbjan Proto-West Germanic *bihabbjan Old English behabban Middle English behaven English behave From Middle English behaven, bihabben (“to restrain, behave”), from Old English behabban (“to surround, embrace, hold, contain, hold back, withhold, restrain”), from Proto-West Germanic *bihabbjan, equivalent to be- + have. Cognate with Middle Low German behebben, behāven (“to receive, acquire, reach, keep”), Low German behebben (“to act, behave”), German behaben (“to behave”).

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"And the manifest signs that came from heaven unto those that behaved themselves manfully to their honour for Judaism[…]" — 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Maccabees 2:21:

"Manganism has been known about since the 19th century, when miners exposed to ores containing manganese, a silvery metal, began to totter, slur their speech and behave like someone inebriated." — 2014 April 21, “Subtle effects”, in The Economist, volume 411, number 8884:

"He did behave his anger ere 'twas spent." — c. 1605–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene v], page 88:

"But who his limbs with labours, and his mind / Behaues with cares, cannot so easie mis." — 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, book 2, canto 3, verse 40:

"One time when Willie was more set on clowning than on learning about Jesus, Miss Helen ordered, "Willie Mack, you stand up against the wall until you learn to behave."" — 2009, Roger L. Van Ommeren, From Rebellion to Submission, page 48:

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