Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

have

 - definition
 
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
verb  strong American English pronunciation: have /hæv/  weak American English pronunciation: have /əv/ American English pronunciation: have /həv/ 
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theyhave
he/she/ithas
present participlehaving
past tensehad
past participlehad
Have can be used in the following ways:
as an auxiliary verb in perfect tenses of verbs (followed by a past participle): We have lived here for 20 years. ♦ Who's eaten all the grapes? (used without a following past participle): Ellen hasn't finished, but I have. Questions, negatives, and tag questions using the auxiliary verb have are formed without do: Has the meeting finished? ♦ You haven't eaten anything. ♦ The customers haven't complained, have they?
as a transitive verb used in descriptions and for talking about possession, relationships, or the state that someone or something is in: She has dark curly hair. ♦ He had two sisters. This use of have is never in progressive or passive forms. Have got is often used instead of have for these meanings, especially in spoken English and informal writing, but only in the present tense: Alan's got a new bike. Questions and negatives can be formed by using do or have got: Do you have any money? ♦ Have you got any money? ♦ We don't have any money. ♦ We haven't got any money. Tag questions are formed with do when the main verb is have, and with do or sometimes have when the main verb is have got: They have a nice house, don't they? ♦ We've still got a few more minutes, haven't we?
as a transitive verb used for talking about actions and experiences: I had a good time at the party. This use of have can sometimes be in the progressive but is almost never in the passive: She's having a baby. ♦ Are you having a drink? Have got is not used, and neither short forms of have nor weak forms of pronunciation are ever used in these meanings. Questions, negatives, and tag questions are formed with do: Did you have a nice walk? ♦ I didn't have breakfast this morning. ♦ They had quite a bad accident, didn't they?
as a transitive verb (followed by an object and then a participle or infinitive without "to"): How often do you have your hair cut? ♦ I'll have someone clean out your room. This use of have can be in the progressive: I'm having all the carpets cleaned. Questions, negatives, and tag questions are formed with do: Did you have the engine checked?
as a verb used for talking about what is necessary (followed by a verb in the infinitive with "to"): I had to wait for an hour. (followed by "to" without a verb in the infinitive): We'll fight for our rights if we have to. This use of have can be in the progressive: I was having to work every weekend. Have got to is often used instead of have to, especially in spoken English and in informal writing, but only in the present tense: You've got to show your passport. Questions, negatives, and tag questions are formed with do: Do we have to pay now? ♦ You don't have to leave yet. ♦ We have to take a test, don't we?
 
  1. 1
    [auxiliary verb] [never progressive] used for forming the perfect tenses of verbs. The perfect tenses are used for talking about what happened or began before now or another point in time

    Has anybody seen Dave this afternoon?

    I've been looking for you everywhere.

    She hadn't eaten anything for three days.

    "Has Jerry done his homework?" "No, he hasn't."

    "Have you washed your hands?" "Of course I have."

    We didn't get a chance to talk to her, but I wish we had.

    Ben's done very well, hasn't he?

    So, you've decided to join the party, have you?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  2. 2

    have

     or

    have got

     used for describing someone/something [transitive] [never progressive]
    1. a.
      used for saying what the physical features of someone or something are

      The room had a balcony facing the ocean.

      Dr. Morel had dark piercing eyes.

      I noticed that the old man didn't have any teeth.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
    2. b.
      used for saying what the qualities of someone's personality are

      Shackleton had all the qualities of a great leader.

      Unfortunately, she didn't have enough common sense to call the doctor.

      have it in you/have what it takes (to do something) (=have the necessary qualities to do something):

      It was Jane who led the protest. I never knew she had it in her.

      Do you think Ken's got what it takes to be good doctor?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  3. 3

    have

     or

    have got

     used for showing possession [transitive] [never progressive]
    1. a.
      to own something

      They have a house in the suburbs.

      If you had a computer, I could send the directions to you by e-mail.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
    2. b.
      to be holding something or carrying something with you

      What's that you've got in your hand?

      Do you have a pen I could borrow?

      have something on you:

      I don't have any money on me.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  4. 4
    do or experience something [transitive] [never passive]
    1. a.
      to do something

      Let's have a look at the damage.

      You'll feel better when you've had a nap.

      Senator McCain had a conversation with the President about this issue.

      We had a meeting on Thursday afternoon.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
    2. b.
      used for saying that something happens to you or you experience something

      We almost had an accident on the freeway.

      Keith's been having a lot of problems with his computer.

      Bill is going into hospital to have a knee operation.

      have a good time/a bad day etc.:

      Did you have a good time at the party?

      I had a terrible day at the office.

      have something done (=something happens to you):

      While they were on vacation, they had their car broken into.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  5. 5

    have

     or

    have got

     used for stating a relationship [transitive] [never progressive]
    1. a.
      used for stating the relationship between someone and their family members

      They've got two kids of their own.

      She has a cousin living nearby.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
    2. b.
      used for stating the relationship between someone and their friends, enemies, people they work with, etc.

      I've got a friend who works at NBC.

      Gary knew he had some dangerous enemies.

      I hear you've got a new boss.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  6. 6

    have

     or

    have got

     when you should or must do something
    1. a.
      if you have to do something, you must do it because it is necessary
      have to do something:

      I had to leave early to pick up the kids at school.

      If you want to use the fax machine, you'll have to ask Shirley.

      We're having to be very careful not to upset our customers.

      There will have to be an official investigation into the accident.

      do not have to do something (=it is not necessary):

      You don't have to come if you don't want to.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
    2. b.
      if you have something to do, you must do it
      have something to do:

      Mr. Klein couldn't stay – he had something to attend to.

      I can't stand here talking to you all day – I have work to do.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  7. 7
    [transitive] [never passive] to eat or drink something. This word is often used in polite offers and requests

    Can I have another piece of that delicious cake?

    Let me buy you a drink. What'll you have?

    Why don't you stay and have lunch with us?

    I'll have (=used for requesting food or drink in a restaurant):

    I'll have the roast beef, please.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  8. 8

    have

     or

    have got

     [never progressive] used in phrases to say that someone is able to do something
    have the ability/power/authority (to do something):

    It's clear that the country has the ability to produce nuclear weapons.

    I'm afraid I don't have the authority to approve the sale.

    have permission/a right (to do something):

    East Germans could not travel to the West unless they had special permission.

    Everyone has a right to express their opinion.

    have the chance/opportunity (to do something):

    Some of us never had the chance to go to college.

  9. 9

    have

     or

    have got

     [transitive] [never progressive] to contain or include parts, members, etc.

    The chorus now has over 100 members.

    The museum has two large rooms devoted to natural history.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  10. 10

    have

     or

    have got

     when something is available [transitive] [never progressive]
    1. a.
      used for saying that a person, store, hotel, etc. can offer you something to buy or use

      Do you have a double room for June 23?

      If you want Madonna's new CD, they've got it at Tower Records.

      Do you have room for another person in your car?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
    2. b.
      if you have time for something, time is available for you to do it
      have for:

      I think we've got time for a quick swim before breakfast.

      have time to do something:

      I didn't have time to cook anything.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  11. 11

    have

     or

    have got

     [transitive] used for saying that someone is visiting you or spending time with you

    We have friends staying with us right now.

    have someone with you:

    I'm afraid the manager's got someone with her at the moment.

    have guests/visitors/company:

    I don't want the children fooling around when I have guests.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  12. 12

    have

     or

    have got

     [transitive] [never progressive] used for saying that there is an idea, a belief, or a feeling in your mind

    I don't have any doubt at all about the success of our policies.

    Do you ever have a feeling that you're being watched?

    have an idea/plan/suggestion etc.:

    Does anyone have a better idea?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  13. 13
    [transitive] [never passive] to make something happen
    have an effect/result/influence/impact:

    Hutton's book had a major impact on public opinion in this country.

    Any increase in the rate of inflation could have a serious effect on levels of unemployment.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
    1. a.

      have

       or

      have got

       [transitive] [never progressive] [never passive] to make someone have a particular feeling or do something in a particular way
      have someone worried/puzzled/in tears:

      His sad story almost had us in tears.

      You had me worried for a moment – I thought you weren't coming.

      have someone doing something:

      We need to have everyone sitting down at the same table.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  14. 14
    [transitive] [never passive] to arrange for something to be done or for someone to do something
    have something done:

    The place is looking much better since they had it redecorated.

    She wanted to have her portrait painted by a famous artist.

    have someone do something:

    I'll have someone bring your luggage up right away.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  15. 15

    have

     or

    have got

     [transitive] [never passive] used for saying that something happens in an area, group, organization, etc. that affects people there

    They've had snow up in Minnesota already.

    have someone doing something:

    Last year the place was so full we had people sleeping on the floor.

    have had enough (of something) (=not want something to happen any longer):

    People in the neighborhood have had enough of gang violence.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  16. 16

    have

     or

    have got

     [transitive] [never progressive] used for saying that you have put something in a particular position or have arranged it in a particular way

    Ralph had his back to the door, so he didn't see me come in.

    She's got her hair tied up in a bun today.

    He had the book open in front of him.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  17. 17

    have

     or

    have got

     [transitive] [never progressive] to suffer from an illness, disease, injury, or pain

    I've got a terrible headache.

    James had malaria while he was working in West Africa.

    The X-rays show that he has a broken ankle.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  18. 18

    have

     or

    have got

     receive something [transitive] [never progressive]
    1. a.
      to receive a letter, message, or telephone call

      I had a letter from the bank yesterday.

      We haven't had any news from home.

      You have a phone call – do you want to take it in your office?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
    2. b.
      to receive help or advice

      She had a lot of help and support from her friends.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
    3. c.
      to receive complaints or criticism

      The airline has had thousands of complaints about delays and canceled flights.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  19. 19

    have

     or

    have got

     [intransitive] [never progressive] used for showing that you are certain that something happens or is true, or for showing that you hope very much that it happens or is true

    Things have to get better – they can't get any worse.

    He's just got to come, or I'll die!

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  20. 20

    have

     or

    have got

     [transitive] [never progressive] to be responsible for doing a particular job or the work of an official position
    have a job/position/post etc.:

    He can't pay the rent because he doesn't have a job.

    Foley had a junior position at the World Bank.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  21. 21

    have

     or

    have got

     [transitive] [never progressive] used for saying that something has been planned or arranged for a particular time

    I have an appointment with the dentist tomorrow afternoon.

    Jeff's got classes all day tomorrow.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  22. 22

    have

     or

    have got

     [transitive] [never progressive] to be holding someone by a particular part of their body so that they cannot get away
    have someone by something:

    I couldn't get away – he had me by the arm.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  23. 23
    [transitive] [never progressive] if you have someone who does a particular job, they work for you, usually in a much lower position

    We have a man who comes in and mows the lawn once a week.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have
  24. 24
    [transitive] [never progressive] informal to have sex with someone

    He thinks he can have any woman he wants.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of have

phrases

See also

This is the American English definition of have. View British English definition of have.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for have.

 

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

higgledy-piggledy

mixed together in a way that is not planned, organized, or tidy

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog