come

come, arrive are comparable because both basically mean to get to one point from another more or less distant in space, time, relation, or development. Come (with to)and arrive (with at) are synonyms of reach (see REACH); thus, one comes to or arrives at the end of a journey ; one comes to or arrives at a decision.

Come is one of the elementary intransitive verbs of motion, always implying movement toward, and may be used wherever such movement, actual or apparent, physical or spiritual, is implied.

Arrive, however, stresses rather the reaching of and the end of movement toward a destination. Come, therefore, may be used with or without the implication that the destination is reached; arrive consistently carries that implication

{

I can see them coming

}

{

they will arrive at three o'clock

}

When used in reference to things that move or progress without an agent or agency (as because of some law of nature or in obedience to some inner law or principle) come is usually preferable unless a definite end or termination or, often, fulfillment (as of expectation) is suggested

{

the days come and go

}

{

at last the day of departure arrived

}

{

the longed-for breeze was slow in coming, but when it arrived it brought joy to all

}

{

success never comes to those who await it idly; it usually arrives only after years of patient endeavor

}

Come often suggests or requires statement of a source of place from which a thing has issued; arrive, on the other hand, often suggests or requires a statement of an end, a goal, or a climax to a progress or development

{

the family comes from peasant stock

}

{

the family arrived socially when the grandfather of the present baron was elevated to the peerage

}

In such cases come and arrive are not interchangeable, for the former is loosely synonymous with issue, emanate, originate, or arise and the latter with succeed, triumph, or (when followed by at) with acquire.

Analogous words: *approach, near: rise, arise, *spring, proceed, emanate, issue, stem

Antonyms: go

Contrasted words: leave, depart, quit, withdraw, retire (see GO)