have

[ hav; unstressed huhv, uhv; for 26 usually haf ]

/ hæv; unstressed həv, əv; for 26 usually hæf /

verb (used with object), present singular 1st person have, 2nd have or (Archaic) hast, 3rd has or (Archaic) hath, present plural have; past singular 1st person had, 2nd had or (Archaic) hadst or had·dest, 3rd had, past plural had; past participle had; present participle hav·ing.

to possess; own; hold for use; contain: He has property. The work has an index.

to hold, possess, or accept in some relation, as of kindred or relative position: He wanted to marry her, but she wouldn't have him.

to get, receive, or take: to have a part in a play; to have news.

to experience, undergo, or endure, as joy or pain: Have a good time. He had a heart attack last year.

to hold in mind, sight, etc.: to have doubts.

to cause to, as by command or invitation: Have him come here at five.

to be related to or be in a certain relation to: She has three cousins. He has a kind boss.

to show or exhibit in action or words: She had the crust to refuse my invitation.

to be identified or distinguished by; possess the characteristic of: He has a mole on his left cheek. This wood has a silky texture.

to engage in or carry on: to have a talk; to have a fight.

to partake of; eat or drink: He had cake and coffee for dessert.

to permit or allow: I will not have any talking during the concert.

to assert, maintain, or represent as being: Rumor has it that she's going to be married.

to know, understand, or be skilled in: to have neither Latin nor Greek.

to beget or give birth to: to have a baby.

to hold an advantage over: He has you there.

to outwit, deceive, or cheat: We realized we'd been had by an expert con artist.

to control or possess through bribery; bribe.

to gain possession of: There is none to be had at that price.

to hold or put in a certain position or situation: The problem had me stumped. They had him where they wanted him.

to exercise, display, or make use of: Have pity on him.

to invite or cause to be present as a companion or guest: We had Evelyn and Everett over for dinner. He has his bodyguard with him at all times.

to engage in sexual intercourse with.

verb (used without object), present singular 1st person have, 2nd have or (Archaic) hast, 3rd has or (Archaic) hath, present plural have; past singular 1st person had, 2nd had or (Archaic) hadst or had·dest, 3rd had, past plural had; past participle had; present participle hav·ing.

to be in possession of money or wealth: There are some who have and some who have not.

auxiliary verb, present singular 1st person have, 2nd have or (Archaic) hast, 3rd has or (Archaic) hath, present plural have; past singular 1st person had, 2nd had or (Archaic) hadst or had·dest, 3rd had, past plural had; past participle had; present participle hav·ing.

(used with a past participle to form perfect tenses): She has gone. It would have been an enjoyable party if he hadn't felt downcast.

to be required, compelled, or under obligation (followed by infinitival to, with or without a main verb): I have to leave now. I didn't want to study, but I had to.

noun

Usually haves. an individual or group that has wealth, social position, or other material benefits (contrasted with have-not).

Verb Phrases

have at, to go at vigorously; attack: First he decided to have at his correspondence.

Idioms for have

had better/best, ought to: You'd better go now, it's late.

had rather. rather(def 9).

have done, to cease; finish: It seemed that they would never have done with their struggle.

have had it,

to become weary of or disgusted with whatever one has been doing: I've been working like a fool, but now I've had it.
to suffer defeat; fail: He was a great pitcher, but after this season he'll have had it.
to have missed a last opportunity: He refused to take any more excuses and told them all that they'd had it.
to become unpopular or passé: Quiz shows have had it.

have it coming, to merit or deserve: When they lost their fortune, everyone said that they had it coming.

have it in/out for, to plan or wish to do something unpleasant to; hold a grudge against: She has it in for intelligent students who fail to use their abilities.

have it out, to come to an understanding or decision through discussion or combat: We've been in disagreement about this for a long time, and I think we should have it out, once and for all.

have on,

to be clothed in; be wearing: She had on a new dress.
to have arranged or planned: What do you have on for Christmas?
to tease (a person); make the butt of a joke.Compare put(def 35).

have to do with,

to be connected or associated with: Your lack of confidence probably had a lot to do with your not getting the job.
to deal with; be concerned with: I will have nothing to do with their personal squabbles.

to have and to hold, to possess legally; have permanent possession of: The house, with the mortgage finally paid, was at last their own to have and to hold.

Origin of have

before 900; Middle English haven, habben, Old English habban; cognate with German haben, Old Norse hafa, Gothic haban to have; perhaps akin to heave

SYNONYMS FOR have

3 obtain, gain, secure, procure.

ANTONYMS FOR have

1 lack.

synonym study for have

1. Have, hold, occupy, own, possess mean to be, in varying degrees, in possession of something. Have, being the most general word, admits of the widest range of application: to have money, rights, discretion, a disease, a glimpse, an idea; to have a friend's umbrella. To hold is to have in one's grasp or one's control, but not necessarily as one's own: to hold stakes. To occupy is to hold and use, but not necessarily by any right of ownership: to occupy a chair, a house, a position. To own is to have the full rights of property in a thing, which, however, another may be holding or enjoying: to own a house that is rented to tenants. Possess is a more formal equivalent for own and suggests control, and often occupation, of large holdings: to possess vast territories.

usage note for have

See of².

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH have

halve have

Words nearby have

havant, havant and waterloo, havarti, havasupai, havdalah, have, have a ball, have a big mouth, have a bone to pick, have a brush with, have a case on

Definition for had better (2 of 2)

better ¹

[ bet-er ]

/ ˈbɛt ər /

adjective, compar. of good with best as superl.

of superior quality or excellence: a better coat; a better speech.

morally superior; more virtuous: They are no better than thieves.

of superior suitability, advisability, desirability, acceptableness, etc.; preferable: a better time for action.

larger; greater: the better part of a lifetime.

improved in health; healthier than before.

completely recovered in health.

adverb, compar. of well with best as superl.

in a more appropriate or acceptable way or manner: to behave better.

to a greater degree; more completely or thoroughly: He knows the way better than we do. I probably know him better than anyone else.

more: I walked better than a mile to town.

verb (used with object)

to increase the good qualities of; make better; improve: to better one's grades; to better the lot of the suburban commuter.

to improve upon; surpass; exceed: We have bettered last year's production record.

Cards. to raise (a previous bid).

noun

that which has greater excellence or is preferable or wiser: the better of two choices.

Usually betters. those superior to one in wisdom, wealth, etc.

Origin of better

before 900; Middle English bettre, Old English bet(t)( e)ra; cognate with Old High German bezziro (German besser), Dutch beter, Old Norse betr, Gothic batiza, equivalent to bat- (cognate with Old High German baz (adv.) better; akin to boot²) + -iza comparative suffix; suggested relation to Sanskrit bhadrá- “fortunate” is doubtful. See best

SYNONYMS FOR better

10 amend; advance, promote; reform, correct, rectify. See improve.

OTHER WORDS FROM better

un·bet·tered, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH better

better bettor

British Dictionary definitions for had better (1 of 3)

better ¹

/ (ˈbɛtə) /

adjective

the comparative of good

more excellent than other members of a particular group, category, etc

more suitable, advantageous, attractive, etc

improved in health

fully recovered in health

in more favourable circumstances, esp financially

better off in more favourable circumstances, esp financially

the better part of a large part of the better part of a day

adverb

the comparative of well 1

in a more excellent manner; more advantageously, attractively, etc

in or to a greater degree or extent; more she is better loved than her sister

go one better (Brit intr; US tr) to outdo (a person) or improve upon (someone else's effort)

had better would be wise, sensible, etc to I had better be off

know better than to not to be so stupid as to

think better of

to change one's course of action after reconsideration
to rate (a person) more highly

noun

the better something that is the more excellent, useful, etc, of two such things

(usually plural) a person who is superior, esp in social standing or ability

all the better for improved as a result of

all the better to more suitable to

for better for worse whatever the subsequent events or changes may be

for the better by way of improvement a change for the better

get the better of to defeat, outwit, or surpass

the better of Irish having recovered from I'm not the better of it yet

verb

to make or become better

(tr) to improve upon; surpass

Word Origin for better

Old English betera; related to Old Norse betri, Gothic batiza, Old High German beziro

British Dictionary definitions for had better (2 of 3)

better ²

esp US bettor

/ (ˈbɛtə) /

noun

a person who bets

British Dictionary definitions for had better (3 of 3)

have

/ (hæv) /

verb has, having or had (mainly tr)

to be in material possession of; own he has two cars

to possess as a characteristic quality or attribute he has dark hair

to receive, take, or obtain she had a present from him; have a look

to hold or entertain in the mind to have an idea

to possess a knowledge or understanding of I have no German

to experience or undergo to have a shock

to be infected with or suffer from to have a cold

to gain control of or advantage over you have me on that point

(usually passive) slang to cheat or outwit he was had by that dishonest salesman

(foll by on) to exhibit (mercy, compassion, etc, towards) have mercy on us, Lord

to engage or take part in to have a conversation

to arrange, carry out, or hold to have a party

to cause, compel, or require to (be, do, or be done) have my shoes mended

(takes an infinitive with to) used as an auxiliary to express compulsion or necessity I had to run quickly to escape him

to eat, drink, or partake of to have a good meal

slang to have sexual intercourse with he had her on the sofa

(used with a negative) to tolerate or allow I won't have all this noise

to declare, state, or assert rumour has it that they will marry

to put or place I'll have the sofa in this room

to receive as a guest to have three people to stay

to beget or bear (offspring) she had three children

(takes a past participle) used as an auxiliary to form compound tenses expressing completed action I have gone; I shall have gone; I would have gone; I had gone

had better or had best ought to: used to express compulsion, obligation, etc you had better go

had rather or had sooner to consider or find preferable that I had rather you left at once

have done See done (def. 3)

have had it informal

to be exhausted, defeated, or killed
to have lost one's last chance
to become unfashionable

have it to win a victory

have it away or have it off British slang to have sexual intercourse

have it coming informal to be about to receive or to merit punishment or retribution

have it in for informal to wish or intend harm towards

have it so good to have so many benefits, esp material benefits

have to do with

to have dealings or associate withI have nothing to do with her
to be of relevance tothis has nothing to do with you

I have it informal I know the answer

let someone have it slang to launch or deliver an attack on, esp to discharge a firearm at someone

not having any (foll by of) informal refusing to take part or be involved (in)

noun

(usually plural) a person or group of people in possession of wealth, security, etc the haves and the have-nots

See also have at, have in, have on, have out, have up

Word Origin for have

Old English habban; related to Old Norse hafa, Old Saxon hebbian, Old High German habēn, Latin habēre

Idioms and Phrases with had better (1 of 3)

had better

Also, had best. Ought to, should. For example, You had better finish this one before starting another, or We had best be going. [Mid-1400s] Also see you'd better believe it.

Idioms and Phrases with had better (2 of 3)

better

In addition to the idioms beginning with better

better half
better late than never
better off
better part of
better safe than sorry
better than

also see:

against one's better judgment
all better
all the better
discretion is the better part of valor
for better or for worse
get better
get the better (best) of
go one better
had better (best)
know better
seen better days
so much the better
sooner the better
take a turn for the better
think better of
you'd better believe it

Also see underbest.

Idioms and Phrases with had better (3 of 3)

have

In addition to the idioms beginning with have, also see entries beginning with get had, and keep

have a ball
have a big mouth
have a bone to pick
have a brush with
have a case on
have a clear conscience
have a clue
have a crack at
have a crush on
have a familiar ring
have a fit
have against
have a go at
have a good command of
have a good day
have a good head on one's shoulders
have a good mind to
have a good thing going
have a good time
have a grasp of
have a hand in
have a hard time
have a head for
have a heart
have a hold over
have all one's buttons
have a lot going for
have a lot on one's plate
have a mind to
have an edge on
have a nerve
have an eye for
have a nice day
have another guess coming
have an out
have a penchant for
have a right to
have a say in
have a screw loose
have a shot at
have a stake in
have at
have a thing about
have a thing going
have a time of it
have a way with
have a weakness for
have a whack at
have a word with
have a yen for
have designs on
have dibs on
have done
have eyes only for
have fits
have going for one
have got to
have had enough
have had it
have in common
have in one's hands
have it
have it both ways
have it coming
have it in for
have it in one
have it made
have it out
have kittens
have no business
have no heart for
have none of
have no stomach for
have nothing on
have nothing to do with
have no time for
have no truck with
have no use for
have on
have one's ass in a sling
have one's cake and eat it, too
have one's day
have one's druthers
have oneself
have one's eye on
have one's hands full
have one's head in the sand
have one's head screwed on right
have one's heart in it
have one's moments
have one's own way
have one's say
have one's way with
have one's wits about one
have one's work cut out for one
have on the ball
have out
have pity on
have pull with
have rocks in one's head
have someone's ear
have someone's hide
have someone's number
have someone by the balls
have something against
have something coming
have something going
have something on
have something to show for
have the better of
have the blues
have the courage of one's convictions
have the edge on
have the feel of
have the goods on
have the guts
have the heart to
have the last laugh
have the makings of
have the say
have to
have to do with
have to show for
have two left feet
have words with

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

have

verb (used with object), present singular 1st person have, 2nd have or (Archaic) hast, 3rd has or (Archaic) hath, present plural have; past singular 1st person had, 2nd had or (Archaic) hadst or had·dest, 3rd had, past plural had; past participle had; present participle hav·ing.

verb (used without object), present singular 1st person have, 2nd have or (Archaic) hast, 3rd has or (Archaic) hath, present plural have; past singular 1st person had, 2nd had or (Archaic) hadst or had·dest, 3rd had, past plural had; past participle had; present participle hav·ing.

auxiliary verb, present singular 1st person have, 2nd have or (Archaic) hast, 3rd has or (Archaic) hath, present plural have; past singular 1st person had, 2nd had or (Archaic) hadst or had·dest, 3rd had, past plural had; past participle had; present participle hav·ing.

noun

Verb Phrases

Idioms for have

Origin of have

SYNONYMS FOR have

ANTONYMS FOR have

synonym study for have

usage note for have

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH have

Words nearby have

Definition for had better (2 of 2)

adjective, compar. of good with best as superl.

adverb, compar. of well with best as superl.

verb (used with object)

noun

Origin of better

SYNONYMS FOR better

OTHER WORDS FROM better

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH better

British Dictionary definitions for had better (1 of 3)

adjective

adverb

noun

verb

Word Origin for better

British Dictionary definitions for had better (2 of 3)

esp US bettor

noun

British Dictionary definitions for had better (3 of 3)

verb has, having or had (mainly tr)

noun

Word Origin for have

Idioms and Phrases with had better (1 of 3)

Idioms and Phrases with had better (2 of 3)

Idioms and Phrases with had better (3 of 3)