Come about Meaning in English
expression
ˈkəm/ /əˈbaʊt
KUHM uh-BOWT
kˈʌm/ /ɐbˈaʊt
kum uh-BOWT
Definition
To happen or occur, usually unexpectedly or by chance. It is often used to ask or explain how something started.
Usage & Nuances
'Come about' is somewhat formal and more common in writing or formal speech. Often followed by a question about origin ('How did that come about?'). Do not confuse with 'come out' (reveal) or 'come up' (arise as a topic). Rarely used for physical events, more for situations, results, or changes.
Spanish: suceder - ocurrir - surgirPortuguese (BR): acontecer - ocorrer - surgirPortuguese (PT): acontecer - ocorrer - surgirChinese (Simplified): 发生 - 出现Chinese (Traditional): 發生 - 出現Hindi: घटित होना - होना - उत्पन्न होनाArabic: يحدث - ينشأBengali: ঘটা - ঘটানো (আপনা-আপনি)Russian: произойти - случитьсяJapanese: 起こる - 発生するVietnamese: xảy ra - diễn raKorean: 일어나다 - 발생하다Turkish: meydana gelmek - ortaya çıkmakUrdu: واقع ہونا - پیش آناIndonesian: terjadi - berlangsung
Example Sentences
How did this problem come about?
basic
Many changes came about after the new law.
basic
An accident came about because of the icy roads.
basic
No one expected these results to come about so quickly.
natural
Do you know how this tradition came about?
natural
It’s interesting how the idea came about during our lunch break.
natural