Come about
verb
To happen, to take place.
How did such a mistake come about?
Often appears as...
- come about naturally
- come about accidentally
verb
To cause to turn around.
The captain ordered to come about and sail back to port.
Often appears as...
- come about slowly
- ship come about
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To achieve a result.
He came about his fortune through hard work and perseverance.
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To happen, to take place.
How did such a mistake come about?
Often appears as...
- come about naturally
- come about accidentally
verb
To cause to turn around.
The captain ordered to come about and sail back to port.
Often appears as...
- come about slowly
- ship come about
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To achieve a result.
He came about his fortune through hard work and perseverance.
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
Often used to discuss intangible events, like changes in emotions or situations.
The reconciliation between them came about after years of tension.
Pro Tip 2/3Unexpected Events
Use 'come about' for events that were unplanned or surprising.
He didn't know how the argument came about; it was unexpected.
Pro Tip 3/3Questioning Origins
Commonly used in questions to inquire about how something began or occurred.
Can you explain how this situation came about?
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
Often used to discuss intangible events, like changes in emotions or situations.
The reconciliation between them came about after years of tension.
Pro Tip 2/3Unexpected Events
Use 'come about' for events that were unplanned or surprising.
He didn't know how the argument came about; it was unexpected.
Pro Tip 3/3Questioning Origins
Commonly used in questions to inquire about how something began or occurred.
Can you explain how this situation came about?
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative Use
Often used to discuss intangible events, like changes in emotions or situations.
The reconciliation between them came about after years of tension.
Pro Tip 2/3Unexpected Events
Use 'come about' for events that were unplanned or surprising.
He didn't know how the argument came about; it was unexpected.
Pro Tip 3/3Questioning Origins
Commonly used in questions to inquire about how something began or occurred.
Can you explain how this situation came about?
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