behold - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
behold Word Meanings
- to see or observe a thing for the first time
- to look at something with admiration
- to call attention to something
behold Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
behold Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/bɪˈhəʊld/
US
/bɪˈhoʊld/
behold Word Etymology
be- (a prefix meaning 'about, wholly') + hold (to grasp or keep). Origin: Old English 'behealdan' → Middle English 'bihelden' → English. Memory image: Imagine someone holding a beautiful landscape in their hands and presenting it to you.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Behold is a formal, literary verb used to draw attention to something remarkable or surprising, often as if presenting it to an audience. It can mean seeing something for the first time, but its primary force is ceremonial or emphatic, as in sacred, epic, or poetic contexts. It invites the listener to witness and marvel, rather than merely to observe. The etymology from be- + hold underlines the sense of grasping or displaying something to others. In modern usage you will mostly encounter it in writing, speeches, or historical/fantastical narration, where the tone aims to elevate the moment or object being pointed out.
Usage Reminders
- Use in formal or literary contexts
- Not for casual everyday seeing
- Often followed by a striking object: Behold the miracle!
- Can introduce a scene or reveal something surprising
- Remember its archaic feel in modern prose
- Works best with direct object
Common Misconceptions
- Behold = look at; it always means the first time you see something
- It is used to describe ordinary vision
- It can be casually used in everyday speech
- It never takes a direct object
- It and 'be' + 'hold' mean the same as 'watch closely'
Thinking Differences
Behold is a high-register, cinematic/pastoral instrument in English; learners often overuse it or try to apply it to everyday seeing, which sounds odd. It marks a moment of awe or revelation, not a routine glance.
Learning Tips
- Pair behold with dramatic nouns (behold the miracle)
- Reserve for formal writing to avoid sounding pretentious
- Remember it implies presenting or revealing something
- Practice in literary contexts like poetry or speeches
- Compare with look at, see, and observe to sense nuance
- Watch for archaic vibe in modern prose and avoid overuse
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'behold'?
A.To smell
B.To hear
C.To taste
D.To see
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences uses 'behold' correctly?
A.I can behold the music playing in the background.
B.I touched the delicate flower to behold its beauty.
C.Behold the majestic mountains in the distance!
D.She sang a sweet melody for me to behold.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a synonym for 'behold'?
A.Ignore
B.Conceal
C.Observe
D.Imagine
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an antonym for 'behold'?
A.See
B.Avoid
C.Overlook
D.Witness
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context might you use the word 'behold'?
A.Watching a movie at the theatre
B.Ordering food at a restaurant
C.Reading a novel in bed
D.Describing a painting at an art gallery
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