First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1have
verb \ˈhav, (h)əv, v; in “have to” meaning “must” usually ˈhaf\
had \ˈhad, (h)əd, d\ hav·ing \ˈha-viŋ\ has \ˈhaz, (h)əz, z, s; in “has to” meaning “must” usually ˈhas\
Definition of HAVE
transitive verb
1
a : to hold or maintain as a possession, privilege, or entitlement <they have a new car> <I have my rights> b : to hold in one's use, service, regard, or at one's disposal <the group will have enough tickets for everyone> <we don't have time to stay> c : to hold, include, or contain as a part or whole <the car has power brakes> <April has 30 days>
2
: to feel obligation in regard to —usually used with an infinitive with to <we have things to do> <have a deadline to meet>
3
: to stand in a certain relationship to <has three fine children> <we will have the wind at our backs>
4
5
6
a : to experience especially by submitting to, undergoing, or suffering <I have a cold> b : to make the effort to perform (an action) or engage in (an activity) <have a look at that cut> c : to entertain in the mind <have an opinion>
7
a : to cause or command to do something —used with the infinitive without to <have the children stay> b : to cause to be in a certain place or state <has people around at all times>
8
: allow <we'll have no more of that>
9
: to be competent in <has only a little French>
10
11
: bear 2a <have a baby>
12
: to partake of <have dinner> <have a piece>
verbal auxiliary
1
—used with the past participle to form the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect <has gone home> <had already eaten> <will have finished dinner by then>
2
: to be compelled, obliged, or required —used with an infinitive with to or to alone <we had to go> <do what you have to> <it has to be said>
— had better or had best
: would be wise to
— have at
: to go at or deal with : attack
— have coming
: to deserve or merit what one gets, benefits by, or suffers <he had that coming>
— have done with
: to bring to an end : have no further concern with <let us have done with name-calling>
— have had it
1
: to have had or have done all one is going to be allowed to
2
: to have experienced, endured, or suffered all one can
— have it in for
: to intend to do harm to
— have it out
: to settle a matter of contention by discussion or a fight
— have none of
: to refuse to have anything to do with
— have one's eye on
1
a : to look at b : to watch constantly and attentively
2
: to have as an objective
— have to do with
1
: to deal with <the story has to do with real people — Alice M. Jordan>
2
: to have a specified relationship with or effect on <the size of the brain has nothing to do with intelligence — Ruth Benedict>
See have defined for English-language learners
See have defined for kids
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Origin of HAVE
Middle English, from Old English habban; akin to Old High German habēn to have, and perhaps to hevan to lift — more at heave
2have
noun \ˈhav\
Definition of HAVE
: one that is well-endowed especially in material wealth
First Known Use of HAVE
1836
Related to HAVE
- Synonyms
- Croesus, deep pocket, fat cat, capitalist, money, moneybags, plutocrat, silk stocking
HAVE[1] Defined for Kids
have
verb \ˈhav, həv, əv, in sense 3 before "to" usually ˈhaf\
past & past participle had \ˈhad, həd, əd\ present participle hav·ing \ˈha-viŋ\ present third person singular has \ˈhas, həz, əz\
Definition of HAVE for Kids
1
: to hold or own <I have the tickets.>
2
: to possess as a characteristic <She has red hair.>
3
: to eat or drink <Let's have dinner.> <I had some water.>
4
: to consist of or contain <April has 30 days.>
5
: to be affected by <I have a cold.>
6
: to plan, organize, and run (an event) <We're having a party.>
7
: to give birth to <She had twins.>
8
: to cause to be <How often do you have your hair cut?>
9
: to stand in some relationship to <I have many friends.>
10
: to perform a function or engage in an activity <He had a fight with his best friend.>
11
: experience <I had fun.>
12
: to hold in the mind <I have an idea.>
14
: to cause to <I'll have them call you.>
15
: 1permit 1 <We'll have none of that.>
16
: 2trick <We've been had.>
17
—used as a helping verb with the past participle of another verb <My friend has gone home.>
18
: to be forced or feel obliged <They have to stay.>
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