born

Universal Words verb, adjective verb (be born) (used only in the passive, without by) 1 (abbreviation b.) to come out of your mother's body at the beginning of your life: [VN] I was born in 1976. * He was born in a small village in northern Spain. * She was born into a very musical family. * He was born of / to German parents. * She was born with a weak heart. * [VN-ADJ] Her brother was born blind (= was blind when he was born). * [VN-N] John Wayne was born Marion Michael Morrison (= that was his name at birth). 2 [VN] (of an idea, an organization, a feeling, etc.) to start to exist: 'Solidarity' was born as a protest movement, not a political party. * She acted with a courage born (out) of desperation. 3 (-born) (in compounds) born in the order, way, place, etc. mentioned: firstborn * nobly-born * French-born seealsoNEWBORN IDIOMS be born to be / do sth to have sth as your DESTINY (= what is certain to happen to you) from birth: He was born to be a great composer. born and bred born and having grown up in a particular place with a particular background and education: He was born and bred in Boston. * I'm a Londoner, born and bred. born with a silver spoon in your mouth (saying) having rich parents in all my born days (old-fashioned, informal) used when you are very surprised at sth you have never heard or seen before: I've never heard such nonsense in all my born days. not be born yesterday (spoken) used to say that you are not stupid enough to believe what sb is telling you: Oh yeah? I wasn't born yesterday, you know. there's one born every minute (saying) used to say that sb is very stupid moreatKNOWv., MANNER, WAYn. adjective [onlybeforenoun] having a natural ability or skill for a particular activity or job: a born athlete / writer / leader * a born loser (= a person who always loses or is unsuccessful)