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becoming - Word of the Day - Wed Mar 4, 2026

Myr

Entry posted by Myr in Word of the Day

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becoming - (n) - the ongoing process of growth, change, or self-realization

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Becoming was not sudden, but shaped by each small decision.

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Author tip: Use becoming to frame long arcs rather than single scenes.
Genre tags: Literary, Contemporary

 

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drpaladin

drpaladin 108,080
Zorro

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Becoming is also used to indicate something is flattering to appearance. 

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Bill W

Bill W 61,561
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Posted (edited)

Becoming" (adjective: attractive/fitting) derives from the 16th century present participle of the verb "become", which originated from Old English becuman ("to happen", "come about", or "befit") in the 12th or 13th century.  It combines the prefix be- (around) and come, evolving from the sense of "fitting" or "agreeing with".  The adjective becoming originally meant "fitting, proper," and evolved to describe someone or something that looks good, suits, or is attractive.   The sense of "to change state" emerged in the 12th century, while the sense of "to suit or look well" (as in "a becoming dress") was established by the early 14th century. 

Related terms: Becomingly (adverb): Recorded from the early 1600s. 
Becomingness (noun): Also recorded from the 1560s. 

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the usage of "becoming" in English differs based on its grammatical form:  
As a Noun ("becoming"): The earliest known use is from 1609, appearing in the writings of William Shakespeare. 
As an Adjective ("becoming"): The earliest evidence is from 1565 in the Scottish Metrical Psalms. 
As a Verb ("become"): The root verb become dates back to the Old English period (pre-1150). 

Edited by Bill W
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Bill W

Bill W 61,561
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Character becoming—or the transformation, growth, and development a character undergoes throughout a story—is a foundational element of compelling fiction.  It is crucial because, for most readers, the story is not just about the plot's events, but about how those events impact, shape, and change the characters. 
 
Why Character Transformation is Critical:  
Creates Emotional Connection: Readers invest in stories by connecting with the characters' fears, desires, and inner turmoil. Without this, the story feels flat. 
Drives the Plot: Character development is often the "engine" that moves the story forward. As a character changes, their choices alter, forcing the plot to react. 
Provides Relatability: Readers want to see characters grow from their experiences, much like real people do, making them feel like living, breathing individuals rather than "cardboard cutouts". 
Adds Depth and Meaning: A character's transformation makes the story unforgettable. It shifts the story from merely being a series of events (plot) to a thematic, meaningful experience. 
 
The "Before and After" Structure:
Effective writing often requires planning the "before" (the character's starting point, with their flaws and misconceptions) and the "after" (the stronger, more capable, or changed person). 
The "Before" Life: Essential for establishing empathy and making the transformation believable. 
The Catalyst: The plot acts as a "rock tumbler" that breaks down the character's initial weaknesses and forces them to change through hardship. 
The Result: The character, usually by overcoming a fatal flaw, becomes the best version of themselves, allowing the reader to experience a satisfying, earned conclusion. 
 
Components of Character Becoming: 
Goals and Motivations: A clear "want" and "need" are required for the character to have a reason to grow. 
Internal vs. External Conflict: The character's internal struggles (fears, flaws) are often more compelling than the external plot. 
Subtlety in Change: Rather than sudden transformations, growth should be a gradual, consistent process across the entire story. 
 
Character becoming turns a story from a simple sequence of events into a resonant, human experience. Without this transformation, characters risk appearing static and boring, making it difficult for readers to stay invested in the narrative. 
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Topher Lydon

Topher Lydon 57,264
Toady Fan

Posted

"What are we becoming?" Alex asked quietly, he was holding Tom in the back of Tom's old station wagon, parked away from the road at a pull off somewhere up by the highway. A quiet place that was slowly becoming still and quiet at the hours crept later and later.

"Does it matter?" Tom replied as he shifted in Alex's arms. "Are you having fun, I mean I know I am, but are you really enjoying this..." He waggled his hand between them and the fact that they were tangled together, their clothes all over the back of the Wagon.

"Yeah," Alex confided as he huffed his hair out of his eyes where it fell in a sweaty mess. "Becoming used to it now, hah, would never had said that if it weren't for you and your jumper cables..."

"That was weeks ago," Tom chuckled. "There I was, mindin' my own business outside the arena, and what do I see, the most becoming moron in South Dakota, sitting in his dead car, trying to flood an engine that wouldn't start..."

"You seduced me!" Alex accused, with a smile.

"Becoming a pattern, ain't it?" Tom grinned back. "You seen my boot? I gotta get back before Pap notices the Wagon's missin'."

"Hey," Alex murmured, shifting and pulling the cowboy boot out from underneath him. "I know the whole spare a horse, ride a..."

"I just wear the boots, I ain't a cowboy Al," Tom warned, with a smirk.

"I'm just saying, wears the boots, the jeans, the plaid... and then there's the belt buckle," Alex shrugged. "You kinda just need the hat and you'd be one hundred percent a Cowboy."

"You just want a ride again," Tom shook his head and sighed. "You know what we're becoming..." He said after a pause. "We're becoming a thing... and things are complicated."

Alex nodded, suddenly drawing quiet as he glanced out of the window at the snowy landscape outside their warm little haven off of the highway. "So it's going to end then?"

"Hell no!" Tom slapped his boyfriend's behind. "I like complicated, beside yer the prettiest moron that I know. Just, my pa's gonna take some time becoming used to the idea that I've got a beau now. I think he's had his heart set on being a grandpa... well be prepared, he's gonna start expecting you to help out on the farm."

"I don't know nothing about Cows," Alex warned.

"I ain't a cowboy, we raise sheep y' moron. Now help me find my pants, I think you threw 'em in the front."

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