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Definition and meaning of English word "have"

have

/hæv/

Meaning

Verb

To possess, own.

Reviewed by the TheLernen language teamDefinition sourced from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)

How to use

The verb 'have' is commonly used in everyday conversation to express possession or ownership. For example, 'I have a car' or 'She has two dogs.' However, one common mistake learners make is using 'have' instead of 'has' in the third person singular, as in 'He have a book' instead of 'He has a book.'

🇬🇧 English

have

Example

They have a lovely summer cottage near the lake.

You have money

Your personal vocabulary

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Synonyms

to have control or ownership of somethingto have something as one's own propertyhaving or showing a strong feeling of ownership or controlto keep or hold somethingkeep

Common phrases

  • have a say— to have an opinion or influence on something
  • have a hand— to be involved or participate in something
  • have a stake— to have a financial or personal interest in something
  • have a hold— to have a strong influence or control over something
  • have a hold of— to have a firm grip or control over something

More Core Verbs words

Frequency rank: #18 in English

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the English word "have" mean?▼

The English word "have" means "have" in English.

How do you pronounce the English word "have"?▼

You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "have" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.

Can I see an example sentence with "have"?▼

Yes, here is a practical example: "They have a lovely summer cottage near the lake." (which translates as "have").

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