Definition of have
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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 dohave a deadline to meet
3
: to stand in a certain relationship to
has three fine children we will have the wind at our backs
4a
: to acquire or get possession of : obtain
these shoes are the best to be had
b
: receive
She asked if he had any news.
c
: accept
so burnt no one would have a piece
specifically
: to accept in marriage
could find no one who would have him
d
: to copulate with
claims to have had many women
5a
: to be marked or characterized by (a quality, attribute, or faculty)
both have red hair has a way with words
6a
: 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
7a
: 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
10a
: to hold in a position of disadvantage or certain defeat
we have him now
11
: bear sense 3a
have a baby
12
: to partake of
have dinner have a piece
1
—used with the past participle to form the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect has gone homehad already eatenwill have finished dinner by then
2
: to be compelled, obliged, or required
—used with an infinitive with to or to alone we had to godo what you have toit has to be said
had better
or had best
have at
have coming
have done
have done with
have had it
have it
have it in for
have it out
have none of
have one's eye on
have to do with
: would be wise to
had better go to bed
: to go at or deal with : attack
like two boxers having at each other
: to deserve or merit what one gets, benefits by, or suffers
he had that coming
: to bring to an end : have no further concern with
let us have done with name-calling
1
: to have had or have done all one is going to be allowed to
He's been cheating me for years but now he's had it.
2
: to have experienced, endured, or suffered all one can
Her old beater has finally had it.
: to intend to do harm to
: to settle a matter of contention by discussion or a fight
thinks they just need to have it out
: to refuse to have anything to do with
We will have none of that.
1a
: to look at
b
: to watch constantly and attentively
2
: to have as an objective
has her eye on a little cottage in the country
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
have
nounDefinition of have (Entry 2 of 2)
: one that is well-endowed especially in material wealth
the haves and have-nots
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for have
The first known use of have was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century