What does behoove mean?
Behoove is a formal verb meaning that a particular action is fitting, advantageous, or incumbent upon someone. It is used almost exclusively in the impersonal construction "it behooves (someone) to do something," as in "It behooves all of us to plan ahead." The verb expresses what is in a person's best interest or consistent with their duty, rather than what they are legally required to do, giving it a tone of prudent counsel. Somewhat old-fashioned and elevated in register, it survives most often in formal writing, speeches, and advice, and it is considerably more common in American English than British English, where the spelling "behove" predominates. Derived from Old English, it ultimately traces back to the same ancient root as the verb "have," reflecting its core sense of what one ought to possess or undertake. Though rarely used in casual conversation, behoove remains a precise and dignified way to say that a course of action serves one's interest or honor.
verbIt behooves a person to do something: it is appropriate, necessary, or advantageous for them to do it; it is their duty or interest.
- To be necessary, proper, or advantageous for someone to do something (used almost exclusively in the impersonal construction 'it behooves someone to do something')
"It would behoove you to arrive early and review the agenda before the meeting begins."
"It behooves every citizen to understand how their government works."
"Given the tight deadline, it would behoove the team to divide the work immediately."
Behoove shares an ancient root with the word "have" itself — so when something behooves you, it literally becomes something you need to hold onto.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of behoove
Behoove comes from the Old English verb behōfian, meaning "to have need of," formed on the noun behōf, "use, advantage, need." It descends from the Germanic branch of the Indo-European root *kap-, which also produced the English verbs "have" and "heave" and, through Latin, words like "capture" and "capable." The noun behōf survives as the now-rare English noun "behoof," meaning "benefit or advantage." The verb has been in continuous use since the Old English period, though its modern impersonal construction became established in later Middle and Early Modern English.
Related word forms
How behoove is actually used
Formal and somewhat old-fashioned in flavor; nearly always appears in the impersonal third-person construction "it behooves someone to do something" rather than with a personal subject. It carries a tone of duty, advisability, or prudence rather than obligation imposed by authority. More frequent in American English than British English.
Easily confused with behoove
"Behove" is simply the standard British spelling of the same verb, while "behoove" is the American spelling — they are not different words in meaning.