gerund or present participle
Acting in a way that follows social rules or is acceptable to other people.
She is behaving well today.
The children were behaving badly on the bus.
American English
How to pronounce behaving
verbB1Common word
bihHAYvihng
/bɪˈheɪ.vɪŋ/
3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Form of behave
Acting in a way that follows social rules or is acceptable to other people.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
gerund or present participle
Acting, working, or reacting in a particular way.
The old printer is behaving strangely again.
These chemicals are behaving differently in cold water.
Useful expressions
to act politely and follow the rules
You need to behave yourself at dinner.
Related words & forms
Before -ing, drop the final e: behave → behaving.