have
108 ENTRIES FOUND:
- have (verb)
- have–nots (noun)
- haves (noun)
- must–have (noun)
- authority (noun)
- back (noun)
- ball (noun)
- bash (noun)
- bee (noun)
- bell (noun)
- benefit (noun)
- blame (verb)
- bonnet (noun)
- bun (noun)
- butcher (noun)
- cake (noun)
- chip (noun)
- corner (noun)
- cover (verb)
- cow (noun)
- day (noun)
- design (noun)
- devilish (adjective)
- do (verb)
- ear (noun)
- eat (verb)
- eye (noun)
- eyeful (noun)
- feeling (noun)
- few (pronoun)
- field day (noun)
- finger (noun)
- fling (noun)
- floor (noun)
- foot (noun)
- full (adjective)
- get (verb)
- go (noun)
- good (adjective)
- good (noun)
- grave (noun)
- ground (noun)
- hair (noun)
- half (pronoun)
- hand (noun)
- handle (noun)
- hard (adjective)
- head (noun)
- heart (noun)
- horror (noun)
- issue (noun)
- jump (noun)
- kitten (noun)
- know (verb)
- laugh (verb)
- leak (noun)
- leg (noun)
- let (verb)
- line (noun)
- loose (adjective)
- luck (noun)
- lunch (noun)
- made (adjective)
- marking (noun)
- measure (noun)
- mind (noun)
- news (noun)
- none (pronoun)
- nose (noun)
- nothing (pronoun)
- number (noun)
- only (adverb)
- oven (noun)
- palm (noun)
- pie (noun)
- piss (verb)
- ring (verb)
- say (verb)
- screw (noun)
- screw (verb)
- set (adjective)
- shade (noun)
- shoot (verb)
- shoulder (noun)
- sieve (noun)
- sleeve (noun)
- snit (noun)
- snout (noun)
- stand (verb)
- star (noun)
- string (noun)
- tape (verb)
- thank (verb)
- there (adverb)
- thin (adjective)
- thing (noun)
- think (noun)
- time (noun)
- trough (noun)
- truck (noun)
- use (noun)
- way (noun)
- whack (noun)
- what (pronoun)
- wind (noun)
- wire (noun)
- work (noun)
- write (verb)
Britannica Dictionary definition of HAVE
◊ For many senses of have, the phrase have got can also be used. Each sense, idiom, or phrasal verb below in which this phrase can occur includes the note “—also have got.” See “have got” (below) for more information.
1
not used in progressive tenses
[+ object]
a
:
to own, use, or hold (something)
— also used for things that cannot be seen or touched
— also have got
—
see also must-have
-
Do they have a new car?
-
You can have it until I get back.
-
She has a red bike, and I have a blue one.
-
She got another part-time job and now she has two jobs.
-
I'm looking for the newspaper. Do you have it?
-
He had the newspaper right in his hand.
-
I used to have a necklace like that, but I lost it.
-
She used to share a room with her sister, but now she has her own room.
-
Do you have an appointment?
-
Do you have any experience in this line of work? [=have you done this kind of work before?]
-
She has so many things that she wants to do.
-
They have a deadline that must be met.
-
Have they got a new car?
-
She's got two jobs.
-
Have you got it?
-
I've got an appointment.
b
— also have got
◊ If you have (something) to do, finish (etc.), there is something that you must do or want to do in order to complete a task.
-
We have things to do. = (chiefly Brit) We've things to do.
-
I have several more pages to read.
-
She has six more rows to knit.
-
“But I have promises to keep…”
Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” (1923)
-
We've got things to do.
2
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
— used to say that something is available or not available
— also have got
—
see also have the time (below)
-
They had nothing to eat or drink, nothing to wear, and nowhere to live.
-
We didn't want to do it, but we had no choice/alternative.
-
You have a tremendous opportunity, and you should make the most of it.
-
The group will have enough tickets for everyone.
-
Do you have any spare change?
-
Do you have a minute/moment/second? [=are you available for a short time right now?] I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you.
-
Give me a call when you have a few minutes/moments. [=when you have a short period of time available]
-
I don't have the time to talk right now. [=I am too busy to talk right now]
-
I haven't got the time to talk right now.
-
Have you got a minute/moment/second?
3
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
— used to describe a quality, skill, feature, etc., of a person or thing
— also have got
-
She has an impressive knowledge of French. [=she knows French very well]
-
He has a way with words. [=he uses words/language very effectively]
-
She has a good outlook on life.
-
The car has power brakes.
-
That country has a king; this country has a president.
-
All the children in that family have red hair.
-
A man who had a foreign accent [=a man with a foreign accent] was asking to see you.
-
The museum has interesting exhibits.
-
I have a fear of spiders. [=I am afraid of spiders]
-
He's got a way with words.
-
The car's got power brakes.
4
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
:
to include or contain (something or someone)
— also have got
-
The list has my name on it. [=my name is on the list]
-
April has 30 days. [=there are 30 days in April; April is a month with 30 days]
-
The club has 100 members.
-
The list has got my name on it.
-
The club's got 100 members.
5
[+ object]
a
:
to give birth to (a child)
-
She had her first child when she was 25.
-
She's going to be having another baby soon.
b
not used in progressive tenses
:
to be the parent of (a child)
— also have got
-
She and her husband have three children.
-
They have a son.
-
They've got a son and a daughter.
6
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
— used to describe a relationship between people
— also have got
-
I have two sisters and a brother.
-
She has many friends and few enemies.
-
I wouldn't want to have him as an enemy. [=I wouldn't want him to be my enemy]
-
Do you have a big family? [=is your family big?; are there many people in your family?]
-
Does he have a girlfriend?
-
They have [=employ] a housekeeper.
-
We have many satisfied clients.
-
I have a customer who comes in every Tuesday and orders a tuna sandwich.
-
I've got two sisters and a brother.
7
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
:
to tightly hold (someone)
— also have got
-
The dog has him by the leg. [=the dog is tightly holding his leg in its mouth]
-
She had me by the arm and wouldn't let go.
-
The dog's got him by the leg.
8
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
:
to get (something)
-
Whenever she sees the latest new electronic gadget, she needs to have it.
-
This piano is the best to be had. [=it is the best that can be bought or owned]
9
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
:
to receive or be given (something)
-
We had some bad/good news yesterday.
-
I had a letter from my cousin last week.
-
“Waiter, can I have the check, please?” “I'll bring it right away.”
-
Could I please have your attention? [=would you please give me your attention?]
-
Can I have a moment of your time? [=can I speak to you for a moment?]
10
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
— used to describe the position of a person or thing
— also have got
-
He had his hands behind his back. [=his hands were behind his back]
-
She had her back to the door and didn't see me enter the room.
-
He has a bodyguard with/near him whenever he goes out in public.
-
The house has a large tree next to it. [=there is a large tree next to the house]
-
The house has got a large tree next to it.
11
[+ object]
:
to cause or produce (something, such as an effect)
-
The defeat had a terrible effect/impact on the team's spirits.
-
Her decision might have serious consequences.
12
[+ object]
a
:
to experience (something)
-
“Are you having fun?” “Yes, I'm having a wonderful time!”
-
Everyone had a good time at the party. = A good time was had by all (at the party).
-
She's had many strange things happen to her recently. = She's been having a lot of strange things happen to her recently.
-
I've had a bad/tough/long day.
-
I'm having trouble getting this computer to work. [=I am unable to get it to work]
-
I've had a good life.
-
We've had another setback.
-
She had [=suffered] a heart attack at the age of 50.
b
not used in progressive tenses
:
to experience or be affected by (an illness or injury)
— also have got
-
I have a cold.
-
My uncle has diabetes.
-
She has a broken leg.
-
I've got a cold.
-
She's got a broken leg.
c
:
to experience (an emotion or feeling)
— also have got
-
I have many regrets. [=I regret many things]
-
I have complete confidence in your abilities. = I don't have any doubts about your abilities.
-
I've got many regrets.
-
I haven't got any doubts about your abilities.
13
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
— used to describe a person's thoughts, ideas, etc.
— also have got
-
Everyone has a different opinion about what to do.
-
I have a few thoughts on the matter.
-
“What time is it?” “I have no idea.” = “I've no idea.” [=I don't know]
-
“Was it hard?” “You have no idea (how hard it was)!” [=it was extremely hard]
-
I don't have a clue. = I haven't a clue. [=I don't know]
-
Everyone's got a different opinion.
-
I haven't got a clue.
14
[+ object]
:
to perform (an action)
:
to do or participate in (an activity)
-
Did you have a good nap?
-
I was having a nap [=I was napping] when a loud noise woke me up.
-
We need to have a long talk.
-
I have soccer practice every Tuesday.
-
Please don't interrupt us when we are having a conversation.
-
(Brit) Have a sleep/lie-down.
-
(Brit) Have a think.
-
Have a look at this. [=look at this]
-
I had a (good) look, but I couldn't find the problem.
-
Let me have a try. [=let me try]
15
[+ object]
:
to provide (something) as entertainment or as a social gathering
-
We're having [=giving, throwing] a party on Saturday. Can you come?
-
We're having a little get-together.
-
The museum is having [=holding] an exhibition of her work. = She's having an exhibition of her work at the museum. [=the museum is exhibiting her work]
16
[+ object]
a
:
to cause, tell, or ask (someone) to do something
-
Have her call me [=tell her to call me on the telephone] when she gets back.
-
Have my assistant schedule another appointment for you.
-
You should have someone check that out for you.
-
She's having the children stay with us for the weekend. [=the children are staying with us for the weekend because she wants them to]
-
He had the barber cut his hair short. [=he got the barber to cut his hair short]
-
What would you have me do? [=what do you want me to do?]
-
They would have us believe [=they want/expect us to believe] that all these problems can be fixed by raising taxes.
b
:
to cause (something) to be changed, removed, added, or affected in a specified way
-
I had my nose straightened by a plastic surgeon.
-
He had his hair cut short by a barber.
-
The doctor said I should have this mole removed.
-
We are having new windows installed.
-
I just had new tires put on the car.
c
— used when you hire someone to do something or when you go to a place (such as hospital or a mechanic's shop) so that something can be done
-
She's having surgery next week.
-
I had an X-ray.
-
When was the last time you had a checkup?
-
We're having some work done on the house.
-
The car should have regular maintenance checks. [=someone should check the car regularly]
17
[+ object]
— used to say that someone (such as a guest or a worker) is at your home or is coming to your home
—
see also have over (below)
-
We're having guests this weekend.
-
I'd love to come for a visit, if you'll have me. [=if you would welcome me as a guest]
-
We're going to have a plumber in to look at the furnace.
-
She has guests to/for dinner several times a week.
-
I had my friends back to my place for drinks after the movie.
18
not used in progressive tenses
[+ object]
a
:
to cause (something) to be in a specified state or condition
— also have got
-
He had dinner ready by the time she came back.
-
It's hard to think when she has the radio on so loud.
-
He had the computer working again very quickly.
-
Please have your assignment ready/done/finished/completed by tomorrow.
-
She's got the radio on so loud.
-
Have you got your assignment ready? [=is your assignment ready?]
b
— used when something that belongs to someone or something is damaged, destroyed, or taken
-
I had [=got] my nose broken in a fight. [=my nose was broken in a fight]
-
She had her car stolen last week. [=her car was stolen last week]
-
The house had its roof torn off in the hurricane.
19
[+ object]
:
to allow (something)
— used in negative statements
-
We'll have no more of that behavior! = We can't have that sort of behavior! = We can't have you behaving like that! = We can't be having you behave like that!
20
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
:
to accept (someone)
-
Who will we have as our leader?
specifically
:
to accept (someone) as a husband or wife
-
I'll marry her if she'll have me!
-
She wouldn't have him.
21
a
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
:
to be able to control, capture, or defeat (someone)
— also have got
-
We have him now! He can't possibly escape!
-
We've got him now!
b
◊ The phrases You have me there and There you have me or (more commonly and informally) You've/You got me (there) are used in speech to mean “I don't know.”
-
“How on earth can he justify his behavior?” “You have me there.”
-
“When exactly was the company founded?” “There you have me.”
-
“Why did she leave?” “You got me.”
◊ The phrase You got me is sometimes shortened to Got me in very informal speech.
-
“When does the movie start?” “Got me.”
22
[+ object]
a
:
to eat or drink (something)
-
We had steak for dinner last night.
-
We'll be having [=eating] dinner at six.
-
Will you have a drink with me?
-
Would you like to have some black pepper on your salad?
-
“What will you have (to drink)?” “(I'll have) A glass of red wine, please.”
-
Did you have dessert yet?
-
Have some cake. It's delicious!
b
:
to smoke (something)
-
She had a cigarette while she was waiting for the bus.
c
— used to say how you want food or drink to be cooked or prepared
-
I'd like to have my steak well done, please.
-
I usually have [=take] my coffee black.
23
not used in progressive tenses,
[+ object]
informal
:
to have sex with (someone)
-
He claims that he's had dozens of women.
24
[auxiliary verb]
— used with the past participle to form the perfect tenses of verbs
-
We have been friends for many years.
-
She has bought a new car.
-
They had already left by the time we arrived.
-
I have not seen that movie yet.
-
Has the rain stopped?
-
I have never been so embarrassed! = Never have I been so embarrassed!
-
Having never been to Chicago, I really don't know much about it.
Usage
When have is used as an auxiliary verb, the shortened forms 've for have, 's for has, and 'd for had are common in informal writing and usual in speech.
The negative forms haven't, hasn't, and hadn't are also common in informal writing and usual in speech.
-
I've already seen that movie.
-
I've never been so embarrassed!
-
We've been friends for years.
-
She's bought a new car.
-
They'd already left by the time we arrived.
-
I haven't seen that movie yet.
-
Hasn't the rain stopped?
-
We hadn't arrived yet when they left.
be had
:
to be tricked or fooled by someone
-
She doesn't want to buy a used car because she's worried about being had by a dishonest salesman.
-
I don't trust them. I think we've been had. [=I think they have tricked us]
have against
[phrasal verb]
have (something) against (someone or something)
:
to have (something) as a reason for not liking (someone or something)
— also have got
-
She has a grudge against her former boss.
-
What do you have against him? [=why do you dislike him?]
-
I have nothing against her personally—it's her friends I don't like.
-
She's got a grudge against her former boss.
-
What have you got against him?
have back
[phrasal verb]
1
have (something) back
:
to receive (something that is returned to you)
-
If I lend you this book, can I have it back by next Tuesday?
-
How I wish I could have my youth back (again)!
2
have (someone) back
a
:
to be with (someone who has returned) again
-
Welcome home! It's great to have you back (with us again)!
-
We'd love to have you back for another visit.
-
He longs to have her back in his life.
-
The doctor said he'd like to have me back for more tests next week.
b
:
to allow (someone) to return
-
He wants to return to his wife, but she won't have him back.
have done with
old-fashioned
:
to stop doing (something)
:
to bring (something) to an end
-
Let us have done with name-calling.
have got
:
have
Usage
Examples of have got are shown above and below for each sense, idiom, and phrasal verb in which it occurs. Note that have got is used only in the present tense. It is common in place of have in informal writing, and it is usual in ordinary speech. The contracted forms 's for has and 've for have are commonly used for the first part of this phrase.
The usual negative forms of have got are haven't got and hasn't got.
-
He has it. = He has got it. = (more commonly) He's got it.
-
We have to go. = We have got to go. = (more commonly) We've got to go.
-
We do not have it. = We have not got it. = (more commonly) We haven't got it.
-
She doesn't have a chance. = She hasn't got a chance.
have had it
informal
1
a
:
to be too old or damaged to be used
-
We need a new stove. This one has had it.
-
My old dictionary has just about had it. Time to get a new one.
b
:
to be so tired or annoyed that you will no longer allow or accept something
-
That's it. I've had it. I won't pay these kinds of fees any more.
-
I've been working all day and I've had it.
c
:
to be angry about something that has continued for a long time
-
I've had it (up to here) with all these delays! [=I am fed up with all these delays; I am very annoyed by all these delays]
2
:
to be completely ruined or defeated
-
After this scandal, he's had it as a politician. [=he will no longer be able to be a politician]
-
His political career has had it. [=his political career is finished/ruined]
have it
1
— used to say that what is being reported is a rumor, a story, etc.
-
Rumor/word has it [=a rumor says] that the company will be going out of business.
-
Legend has it [=according to legend] George Washington slept here.
2
— used to describe a person's condition or situation
— also have got
-
He's had it pretty tough since his wife died. [=his life has been difficult since his wife died]
-
You've never had it so good (as you have it now)!
-
We have it pretty good right now.
-
We've got it pretty good right now.
have it in for
:
to want to hurt or cause problems for (someone you do not like)
— also have got
-
She's had it in for me for a long time.
-
She's got it in for me.
have it in you
:
to have the ability to do something
— also have got
-
His last performance was wonderful; I didn't know he had it in him! [=I didn't know he was capable of such a performance]
-
I don't think she has it in her to be cruel. [=I don't think she's capable of being cruel]
-
I don't think she's got it in her to be cruel.
have it out
:
to settle a disagreement by talking or arguing
-
If you don't like the way he's treated you, you should have it out with him instead of just brooding about it.
have mercy/pity
:
to treat someone with mercy or pity
— usually + on
-
The prisoner begged the judge to have mercy.
-
The prisoner begged the judge to have mercy on him.
have on
[phrasal verb]
1
have (something) on
or
have on (something)
:
to be wearing (something)
— also have got
-
She has on a new suit.
-
He had nothing on. [=he was naked]
-
She's got on a new suit.
2
have (something) on (you)
informal
:
to be carrying (something)
— also have got
-
Do you have any spare change on you?
-
I don't have my wallet on me: I left it at home.
-
Have you got any spare change on you?
3
have (something) on
:
to keep (a device or machine) operating
-
They have the radio on all the time.
4
have (something) on
chiefly British
:
to have plans for (something)
— also have got
-
Do you have anything on for tomorrow? [=do you have any plans for tomorrow?]
-
What do you have on for tomorrow? [=what are your plans for tomorrow?]
-
Have you got anything on for tomorrow?
5
have (someone) on
British, informal
:
to trick or fool (someone) in a joking way
— usually used as (be) having (someone) on
-
He said he knew the Prime Minister, but I think he was just having me on. [=he was joking; he was just putting me on]
6
have nothing on (someone)
or
not have anything on (someone)
:
to have no evidence showing that someone has committed a crime or done something bad
— also have got
-
The police were suspicious, but they had nothing on her.
-
If the police don't have anything on you, they have to let you go.
-
They haven't got anything on me.
-
They've got nothing on me.
7
have nothing on (someone or something)
:
to have less of a particular quality than (someone or something)
— also have got
-
The winters here are bad, but they have nothing on the winters I remember when I was a child. [=they are not as bad as the winters I remember; the winters I remember were worse]
-
He says Houston has nothing on Chicago [=Houston is not as good as Chicago] when it comes to fine restaurants.
-
Houston's got nothing on Chicago.
have over
[phrasal verb]
have (someone) over
— used to say that someone is coming to your home as a guest
—
see also have 17 (above)
-
We're having some friends over for dinner tonight.
have (someone or something) (all) to yourself
:
to be in a situation in which you are not required to share someone or something with anyone else
-
We have the entire evening to ourselves. [=we have no plans to do anything with anyone else this evening]
-
She has the house all to herself this weekend. [=she is the only one staying in the house this weekend]
-
I'm happy to have you to myself tonight; it will give us a chance to talk privately.
have the time
◊ If someone asks you if you have the time, that person is asking if you know what time it is.
-
“Do you have the time?” [=can you tell me what time it is?] “Yes, it's 10 minutes past 3.”
-
Have you got the time?
have to
a
— used to say that something is required or necessary
— also have got to
-
You have to follow the rules.
-
You have to stop. [=you must stop; I command you to stop]
-
I told him what he had to do. [=what he must do]
-
We have to correct these problems soon or the project will fail.
-
I have to remember to stop at the store.
-
“Do you have to go?” “Yes, I'm afraid I really have to.”
-
If you have to go, at least wait until the storm is over.
-
Do what you have to (do).
-
I didn't want to do it but I had to.
-
You've got to stop.
-
I've got to go now.
◊ Note the difference in meaning between not have to and must not.
-
You don't have to do it. [=it is not necessary for you to do it]
-
You must not do it. [=you are not allowed to do it; you are forbidden to do it]
b
— used to say that something is required by a rule or law
— also have got to
-
All passengers have to exit at the next stop.
-
All passengers have got to exit at the next stop.
c
— used to say that something is desired or should be done
— also have got to
-
You have to read this book. It's fantastic!
-
You have to come visit us soon. [=we would like to have you visit us soon]
-
You really have to see the doctor about that cough. [=I urge you to see the doctor; I really think you need to see the doctor]
-
You've got to come visit us soon.
d
— used to say that something is very likely
— also have got to
-
It has to be close to noon.
-
She has to be the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. [=I think she is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen]
-
He has to have a lot of money to live the way he does.
-
The bus has to be coming soon.
-
There has to be some mistake.
-
It's got to be close to noon.
-
There's got to be some mistake.
e
— used in various spoken phrases to emphasize a statement
— also have got to
-
I have to say, I was surprised to hear from him.
-
She's a talented actress, you have to admit.
-
I have to admit, I expected better results.
-
It has to be said that the movie was not very good.
-
I have to warn you, this will not be easy.
-
I've got to say, I was surprised to hear from him.
-
She's a talented actress, you've got to admit.
f
— used in questions or statements that express annoyance or anger
— also have got to
-
Do you have to be so unreasonable?
-
Why does it always have to rain on the weekend?
-
Naturally it has to rain on the day when we planned a picnic.
-
It's got to rain on the day when we planned a picnic.
have to do with
have with
[phrasal verb]
1
have (someone) with (you)
:
to be with (someone)
-
They had their grandchildren with them when they arrived. [=they arrived with their grandchildren]
2
have (something) with (you)
:
to be carrying (something) with (you)
-
I don't have my wallet with me.
I have it
— used to say that you suddenly remember, understand, or have found something
— usually I've got it
-
Now, what was his name? Tony? Tom? No, I've got it! Tim. His name was Tim.
I'll have you know
— used to emphasize something in a somewhat annoyed or angry way
-
“Did your son go to college?” “Did he go to college? I'll have you know that he was given a full scholarship to Harvard!”
there you have it
— used to say that something has just been shown, described, or stated in a very clear and definite way
-
“But we can't spend more money unless we have more money to spend!” “Precisely. There you have it.”
what have you
you had to be there
— used to say that people cannot understand something because they did not experience it or see it themselves
-
I know it sounds weird, but it was so funny. I guess you had to be there.
