behove

UK: /bɪˈhəʊv/ US: (bi hōv′)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

be•hove  (bi hōv′), v.t., v.i., -hoved, -hov•ing. [Chiefly Brit.]

1. British Terms behoove.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

behove / bɪˈhəʊv/, behoove / bɪˈhuːv/ verb

1. (tr; impersonal) to be necessary or fitting for: it behoves me to arrest you

Etymology: Old English behōfian; related to Middle Low German behōven

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

be•hoove /bɪˈhuv/   v. [usually: it + ~ + object + to + verb] , -hooved, -hoov•ing. 

1. to be necessary or proper for;
   be worthwhile to (do something):
   It behooves us to reconsider.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

be•hoove  (bi ho̅o̅v′), v., -hooved, -hoov•ing. (chiefly in impersonal use)
v.t. 

1. to be necessary or proper for, as for moral or ethical considerations;
   be incumbent on:
   It behooves the court to weigh evidence impartially.
2. to be worthwhile to, as for personal profit or advantage:
   It would behoove you to be nicer to those who could help you.

v.i. 

3. [Archaic.] to be needful, proper, or due:
   Perseverance is a quality that behooves in a scholar.

• Middle English behoven, Old English behōfian to need (behōf behoof + -ian infinitive suffix) bef. 900

Synonyms

• 2. benefit, advantage, serve, better, advance; suit, befit, beseem.