be to

verb

Especially, to be expected to (do something).

“You are to hand in your essay by Friday.”

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Meanings

verb
  1. abbreviationellipsisEllipsis of be going to; will; would or should in past tense.

    If we are to make it, we'd better get a taxi.

    3 more examples

    Strange things were to occur all over the country.

    If you were to find a wallet on the street, would you take it?

    Were the government to ban zoos, it would put breeding programs at risk.

  2. Especially, to be expected to (do something).

    You are to hand in your essay by Friday.

    4 more examples

    The CEO is to announce the new company strategy tomorrow.

    What is he to do in such a difficult situation?

    How am I to reach the top shelf without a ladder?

    The other players are cheaters and not to be trusted.

Cite this entry
APA

be to. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/be%20to

MLA

“be to.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/be%20to. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “be to,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/be%20to.

Source: be to on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.