To regain consciousness, to reach a total, or to arrive at a point in discussion or thought.
To wake up after being unconscious, or to add up to a number, or to start talking about something.
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To regain consciousness after fainting, being knocked out, or anaesthesia.
"She came to on the floor of the kitchen, unsure of how long she had been out."
When I came to, I was lying on the ground with people standing over me.
— Muhammad Ali, widely reported in interviews about his boxing career
To add up to a particular amount; to total.
"With tax and service charge, the meal came to nearly eighty dollars."
To reach or arrive at a particular topic, point, or stage in a discussion or process.
"We'll come to the question of funding later in the meeting."
To enter one's mind; to be thought of or remembered (usually in 'come to mind' or 'come to me').
"I was trying to remember her name, and it suddenly came to me at midnight."
To move towards something or someone.
To wake up after being unconscious, or to add up to a number, or to start talking about something.
This phrasal verb has several distinct senses. The 'regain consciousness' sense is very common in medical and dramatic contexts. The 'total' sense is everyday (e.g., 'the bill comes to £40'). The 'reach a topic' sense is common in formal and informal speech alike.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "come to" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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