behave

Universal Words verb 1 [V+adv./prep.] to do things in a particular way SYNACT: The doctor behaved very unprofessionally. * They behaved very badly towards their guests. * He behaved like a true gentleman. * She behaved with great dignity. * He behaved as if / though nothing had happened. * They behave differently when you're not around. HELPNOTE In spoken English people often use like instead of as if or as though, especially in AmE: He behaved like nothing had happened. This is considered incorrect in written BrE. 2 ~ (yourself) to do things in a way that people think is correct or polite: [V] Will you kids just behave! * She doesn't know how to behave in public. * The children always behave for their father. * [VN] I want you to behave yourselves while I'm away. OPPMISBEHAVE 3 (-behaved) (in adjectives) behaving in the way mentioned: well- / badly-behaved children 4 [V+adv./prep.] (technical) to naturally react, move, etc. in a particular way: a study of how metals behave under pressure IDIOMS see OWNv.