have
have
hæv
hāv
British pronunciation
/hæv/

Definition & Meaning of "have"in English

to have
01

to hold or own something

Dialect
have gotbritish flagBritish
Transitive: to have sth
to have definition and meaning
example
Examples
I have a collection of antique coins that I inherited from my grandfather.
They used to have a beach house.
1.1

to get or receive something

Transitive: to have sth
example
Examples
Waiter, can I have the menu, please?
Can I have your email address for the registration?
1.2

used to indicate the relationships between people, as in family members, friends, or acquaintances

Transitive: to have a family or acquaintance
example
Examples
Do you have a coworker named Johnson?
She's got four aunts and two uncles.
1.3

to possess a feature or quality

Transitive: to have a quality or feature
example
Examples
She has a remarkable talent for playing the violin.
He has a great sense of humor that lightens the mood.
1.4

to receive someone as a guest

Transitive: to have | to have for a meal
example
Examples
I 'm having a few friends for brunch; would you like to join us?
They had us for dinner at their new place.
1.5

to accept or take a particular person for a specific position or role

Transitive: to have sb as a role
example
Examples
Who are we going to have as the new project manager?
The team is considering who to have as the spokesperson.
1.6

to cause a specific effect on a person or thing

Transitive: to have an impact | to have an impact on sb/sth
example
Examples
The speech had a profound impact on the audience, inspiring change.
The new policy has a positive influence on workplace morale.
1.7

to contain or include a specific item, number, or group

Transitive: to have a component or item
example
Examples
The conference had 500 attendees from around the world.
The book has 20 chapters, each exploring a different aspect.
1.8

to possess the ability or opportunity to make use of something that is available

Transitive: to have a resource or opportunity
example
Examples
We have no access to the restricted area.
You have only one chance to solve the puzzle.
1.9

to accept to marry someone

Transitive: to have sb
example
Examples
I 'll gladly have him as my husband if he proposes.
He was thrilled when she said she would have him as her husband.
02

to undergo or experience something

Transitive: to have a particular experience
example
Examples
They had difficulties adjusting to the new city.
She had a wonderful experience during her travels.
2.1

to suffer from a disease, injury, or pain

Transitive: to have a disease
to have definition and meaning
example
Examples
She had the flu last week and had to take time off work.
Many children had chickenpox before the vaccine became widespread.
2.2

to cause someone or something to undergo or experience something

Ditransitive: to have sb/sth doing sth
example
Examples
The restaurant has customers waiting for their tables to be cleared.
She has her inbox overflowing with emails from clients.
2.3

to allow or accept with no complaint

Transitive: to have sth
Ditransitive: to have sb doing sth
example
Examples
We ca n't have employees ignoring safety protocols in the workplace.
We 'll have no more of your disruptive behavior in the office.
2.4

to be in a position in which one needs or is required to do something

Transitive: to have a task or errand
example
Examples
I have a meeting in the morning, so I ca n't stay out too late.
We have a presentation to prepare for next week.
2.5

to be affected by an action someone else does to one

Complex Transitive: to have sb/sth [adj]
example
Examples
He had his car vandalized while it was parked on the street.
The patient had his appendix removed in the emergency surgery.
2.6

to express the occurrence of thoughts, feelings, or ideas in one's mind

Transitive: to have an idea or feeling
example
Examples
He had an unsettling suspicion that something was n't quite right.
I had a nagging feeling that I had forgotten something important.
2.7

to trick someone and make them believe something untrue

Transitive: to have sb
example
Examples
I ca n't believe you fell for that story; you 've been had by the con artist.
It 's important to verify information to ensure you 're not being had by misinformation.
2.8

to cause someone to react in a certain manner

Complex Transitive: to have sb doing sth
example
Examples
They had the audience laughing throughout the performance.
The speaker had the crowd applauding enthusiastically.
2.9

to be with a particular person

Transitive: to have sb with sb
example
Examples
He had his family with him at the event.
Do you mind if I have a friend with me for the dinner?
2.10

to make someone or something be in a specific state or condition

Complex Transitive: to have sb/sth [adj] | to have sb/sth doing sth
example
Examples
The engineer had the machine running smoothly again.
The chef had the dish seasoned to perfection.
03

(dummy verb) to perform an action that is specified by a noun

Transitive: to have sth
example
Examples
He had a laugh with his friends at the comedy show.
He had a go at solving the challenging puzzle.
3.1

to give birth to a baby

Transitive: to have one's child
to have definition and meaning
example
Examples
She 's excited to have her first child in a few months.
The couple had their second child yesterday.
3.2

to make someone do a particular task or action by asking or instructing them

Ditransitive: to have sb do sth
example
Examples
She had me complete various tasks for her.
I 'll have Jack guide you to your room.
3.3

to eat or drink something

Transitive: to have food or a meal
to have definition and meaning
example
Examples
Let 's have breakfast together before we start our day.
Would you like to have a cup of tea with me?
3.4

to have sexual intercourse with someone

Transitive: to have sb
example
Examples
She had him on her desk.
He looks like he ’s had lots of men.
3.5

to hold or arrange an event

Transitive: to have an event
to have definition and meaning
example
Examples
She had a birthday party for her son last weekend.
We 're planning to have a family reunion this summer.
3.6

to make someone be at a position of disadvantage in an argument

Transitive: to have sb
example
Examples
Well, you 've got me there. I ca n't argue with that logic.
I must admit, you have me there — I did n't consider that aspect.
3.7

to smoke a tobacco or similar product

Transitive: to have a smoke
example
Examples
He had a cigar to celebrate the occasion.
We had a hookah during the gathering.
3.8

to be pregnant

Transitive: to have a baby
example
Examples
She just found out she 's going to have a baby.
They have been trying to have a baby for a while.
3.9

to take a short rest or sleep

Transitive: to have a period of rest
example
Examples
After a busy morning, she decided to have a nap to recharge her energy.
I like to have a lie down in the afternoon to refresh my mind.
3.10

to clean oneself using water

Transitive: to have a shower or bath
example
Examples
I need to have a quick wash before heading out.
She has a bath every evening to relax.
3.11

to experience or undertake a travel

Transitive: to have a trip
example
Examples
We decided to have a spontaneous road trip to explore the scenic countryside.
She had a thrilling adventure backpacking through the Amazon rainforest.
3.12

to engage in communication with others

Transitive: to have an act of communication | to have an act of communication with sb
example
Examples
We decided to have a conversation about our future plans.
She had a chat with her friend over a cup of coffee.
3.13

to verbally express opposing views or differences with someone

Transitive: to have a disagreement | to have a disagreement with sb
example
Examples
They had a heated dispute over the property boundaries.
We had a minor argument about who should do the dishes.
04

used for saying that something is in a specific position or state

Complex Transitive: to have sth [adj]
Transitive: to have sth somewhere
example
Examples
He had his hands on his hips, waiting for a response.
We had the car parked in the shade to avoid the sun.
4.1

to hold something or someone in a certain way

Transitive: to have sb/sth in a specific manner
example
Examples
The security guard had the intruder by the arm, preventing escape.
She had the misbehaving child by the ear, leading him to the principal's office.
05

(auxiliary) used with a past participle in forming perfect tenses

example
Examples
I have visited that museum before.
They have already eaten dinner.
06

to arrange for something to be done by someone for one

Complex Transitive: to have sth [adj]
example
Examples
They 're having their house painted next week.
I had my computer fixed by a technician.
07

to carry an item with oneself

Transitive: to have sth
example
Examples
Do you have a pen I can borrow?
Have you got a map of the city with you?
08

to show kindness or understanding toward someone in a difficult situation

Transitive: to have kindness or mercy on sb | to have empathy for sb
example
Examples
May the judge have mercy on your soul during the trial.
The teacher chose to have pity on the student and overlooked the mistake.
09

to acquire a favorable result by offering money or incentives, typically in an unethical manner

example
Examples
Information about the competitor 's strategy can be had for a price.
Some officials can be had if you offer the right incentive.
10

to participate in a physical activity

Transitive: to have a physical activity
example
Examples
She 's planning on having a swim at the beach this afternoon.
Let 's have a hike in the mountains this weekend.
Have
01

a person who possesses great material wealth

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