come of: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Formal (more common in written analysis and discussion)
Quick answer
What does “come of” mean?
To be the result or consequence of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To be the result or consequence of something.
To develop or emerge from a situation, often implying a long-term outcome, benefit, or lack thereof. Can also mean to originate from a family or social background.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Slightly more frequent in British English, especially in the idiomatic negative 'nothing came of it'.
Connotations
Similar in both dialects. Can sound slightly literary or deliberate.
Frequency
Common in both, but not a high-frequency phrasal verb.
Grammar
How to Use “come of” in a Sentence
[Something] come of [something]What came of [your plan]?Nothing came of [the investigation].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “come of” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Nothing good can come of this constant arguing.
- She comes of a very artistic family.
American English
- What came of your proposal to the board?
- He comes from a military family. (Note: 'comes of' for background is less common in modern AmE.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to discuss project outcomes or initiative results (e.g., 'We're still waiting to see what will come of the merger talks.').
Academic
Used in analysis to discuss consequences or origins (e.g., 'Several important theories came of this period of intense research.').
Everyday
Used to ask about or describe results (e.g., 'Did anything come of your job application?').
Technical
Rare in pure technical contexts; more common in technical project management or R&D discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “come of”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “come of”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “come of”
- *What did come from your idea? (incorrect preposition) -> What came of your idea?
- Using present tense for a known past result: *What comes of the meeting? -> What came of the meeting?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot say 'come it of' or 'come nothing of it'.
'Come from' refers to origin or source (place, time, material). 'Come of' refers to the result or consequence of a process or action.
Yes, but it's less common. It's often used with 'will' or 'can' to speculate about future results (e.g., 'I wonder what will come of this discovery.').
It is neutral but tends to be used in more thoughtful or analytical contexts rather than casual chat. It's perfectly acceptable in formal writing.
To be the result or consequence of something.
Come of: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌm ɒv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌm əv/ (or /ˈkʌm ʌv/). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “come of age”
- “come to nothing”
- “come off second best”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COME FROM' but focusing on the final product or OUTCOME. What COMES OUT OF a process? The thing that COMES OF it.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESULTS ARE OFFSPRING (e.g., 'fruitless effort' -> nothing came of it).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'come of' correctly?