1 A2 neutral
to return to a place
"Please come back before dinner."
“
I'll be back.
— The Terminator (1984)
inseparable
come back
A2 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
to return to a place, situation, or earlier state
In plain English
to go back to where you were before
What does "come back" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
to return to an earlier state or condition
"Her confidence came back after a few good performances."
“
And if you come back, I'll be there.
— Coldplay, "The Scientist"
inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic neutral
to become fashionable, popular, or active again
"Vinyl records have come back in a big way."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to move back toward where someone is or to an earlier place
Actually means
to go back to where you were before
Usage tip
Very common in everyday English. It can describe physical return, memory, fashion, health, or a feeling starting again.
Words that pair with "come back"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
home later memory confidence fashion pain
How to conjugate "come back"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
come back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
comes back
he/she/it
Past simple
came back
yesterday
Past participle
come back
have + pp
-ing form
coming back
continuous
Hear "come back" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "come back" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "come back"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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