Macmillan Dictionary have definitions and uses

Macmillan Dictionary.
have - definition and synonyms

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 question tags 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:Alan’s got a new
bike.Questions and negatives can be formed by using have got, have alone, or do:Have you got
any money?Have you any money?Do you have any money?We haven’t got any money.We
haven’t any money.We don’t have any money.Question tags are formed with have when the
main verb is have got:They’ve got a lovely garden, haven’t they?
as a transitive verb used for talking about actions and experiences:Let’s have a swim before
lunch.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 question tags 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 question tags 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:You’ve got to show your passport.Questions can be formed using do, have got,
or have alone:Do we have to pay now?Have we got to pay now?Have we to pay now?Negative
sentences are usually formed with do or have got:You don’t have to pay yet.You haven’t got to
pay yet.Question tags are usually formed with do:We have to take a test, don’t we?
1. 1
used for forming perfect tenses [AUXILIARY VERB] [NEVER PROGRESSIVE]
1. a.
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.
Young Benson’s done very well, hasn’t he?
So, you’ve decided to join the party, have you?
Synonyms and related words
Auxiliary verbs:be, do, have...
Explore Thesaurus
2. b.
had someone/something done something... used for saying that something would
have happened if the situation had been different
Had I realized what you were intending to do, I would have stoppedyou.
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
Dr Morel had dark piercing eyes.
The room had a balcony facing the sea.
I noticed that the old man hadn’t got any teeth.
To have a particular quality or thing:seem, tend, possess...
Explore Thesaurus
2. b.
used for saying what the qualities of someone’s character are
Shackleton had all the qualities of a great leader.
Unfortunately, she hadn’t got 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?
Words used to describe someone’s personality:adaptive, addictive, a leopard can’t change its
spots...
Explore Thesaurus
3. 3
have
or
have got
used for showing possession [TRANSITIVE] [NEVER PROGRESSIVE]
1. a.
to own something
They have a house in Hanover Square.
If you had a computer, I could send the directions to you by email.
To own something, or to be owned:belong to, own, possess...
Explore Thesaurus
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 haven’t got any money on me.
To hold something or someone:carry, hold on, hang on...
Explore Thesaurus
4. 4
do or experience something [TRANSITIVE] [NEVER PASSIVE]
1. a.
to do something
have a look/walk/try etc:
Let’s have a look at the damage.
I don’t know if I can persuade her, but at least I can have a try.
You’ll feel better when you’ve had a rest.
We had a meeting on Thursday afternoon.
To do something:do, perform, conduct...
Explore Thesaurus
2. b.
used for saying that something happens to you or you experiencesomething
We almost had an accident on the motorway.
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’ve had a terrible day at the office.
have something done (=something happens to you):
While they were on holiday, they had their car broken into.
To experience something:experience, undergo, encounter...
Explore Thesaurus
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 familymembers
They’ve got two kids of their own.
She has a cousin living nearby.
Words used to describe relations and relationships:acquainted, a hungry mouth (to feed), an
old friend/ally/enemy etc...
Explore Thesaurus
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 the BBC.
Gary knew he had some dangerous enemies.
I hear you’ve got a new boss.
Words used to describe relations and relationships:acquainted, a hungry mouth (to feed), an
old friend/ally/enemy etc...
Explore Thesaurus
6. 6
[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.
General words meaning to eat:eat, swallow, have...
Explore Thesaurus
General words meaning to drink:drink, swallow, have...
Explore Thesaurus
7. 7
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 collect the childrenfrom 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.
I’m glad we haven’t got to get up early tomorrow.
Necessary:necessary, essential, vital...
Explore Thesaurus
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.
Necessary:necessary, essential, vital...
Explore Thesaurus
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 university.
9. 9
have
or
have got
[TRANSITIVE] [NEVER PROGRESSIVE] to contain or include parts, members etc
The Green Party now has nearly 50,000 members.
The museum has two large rooms devoted to natural history.
To include something or someone:include, take in, involve...
Explore Thesaurus
To contain something:include, contents, contain...
Explore Thesaurus
10. 10
have
or
have got
when something is available [TRANSITIVE] [NEVER PROGRESSIVE]
1. a.
used for saying that a person, shop, hotel etc can offer you something to buy or use
Have you got a double room for 23 June?
If you want the BBC Music Magazine, they have it at WH Smith’s.
Have you got room for another one in your car?
To sell something:disintermediate, mis-sell, upsell...
Explore Thesaurus
2. b.
if you have time for something, time is available for you to do it
have for:
We’ve just about got time for a quick swim before breakfast.
have time to do something:
I didn’t have time to cook anything.
To find, or to have enough time for something:have, find, make (the) time...
Explore Thesaurus
11. 11
have
or
have got
[TRANSITIVE] used for saying that someone is visitingyou or spending time with you
We have friends staying with us at present.
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.
Entertaining guests:ask, catering, disinvite...
Explore Thesaurus
12. 12
have
or
have got
[TRANSITIVE] [NEVER PROGRESSIVE] used for sayingthat 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:
Has anyone got a better idea?
To have an opinion or opinions:think, believein, say...
Explore Thesaurus
13. 13
[TRANSITIVE] [NEVER PASSIVE]to make something happen
have an effect/result/influence/impact:
Hutton’s book had a majorimpact on public opinion in this country.
Any increase in the rate of inflation could have a serious effect on levelsof unemployment.
To make something start to exist or happen:bringabout, trigger, form...
Explore Thesaurus
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.
To make someone feel a particular emotion or strong emotions:affect, provoke, inspire...
Explore Thesaurus
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.
The Queen had her portrait painted by Pietro Annigoni.
have someone do something:
I’ll have the porter bring your luggageup right away.
To make plans or arrangements:plan, arrange, organize...
Explore Thesaurus
15. 15
have
or
have got
[TRANSITIVE] [NEVER PASSIVE] used for saying that something happens in
an area, group, organization etc that affectspeople there
They’ve had snow up in Scotland.
have had enough (of something) (=not want something to happen any longer):
The people of Northern Ireland have had enough of violence.
have someone doing something:
Last year the place was so full we had people sleeping on the floor.
Take lots of snacks or you’ll have the kids complaining.
To have an effect on someone’s emotions or attitudes:influence, decide, lead to...
Explore Thesaurus
16. 16
have
or
have got
[TRANSITIVE] [NEVER PROGRESSIVE] used for sayingthat 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’d got the book open in front of him.
To change position:turn, spin, overturn...
Explore Thesaurus
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.
To have or develop an illness or symptom:suffer, get, contract...
Explore Thesaurus
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 my bank manager yesterday.
We’ve not had any news from home.
You have a phone call – do you want to take it in your office?
To get something or someone:get, come by, accept...
Explore Thesaurus
2. b.
to receive help or advice
She had a lot of help and support from her friends.
To ask for, or to receive advice:consult, turn
to, sound out...
Explore Thesaurus
3. c.
to receive complaints or criticism
The airline has had thousands of complaints about delays and cancelled flights.
To be criticized:come under fire, take a hit, come in for...
Explore Thesaurus
19. 19
have
or
have got
[INTRANSITIVE] [NEVER PROGRESSIVE] used for showingthat you are certain that
something happens or is true, or for showingthat 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!
Ways of saying you are sure:surely, undoubtedly, correct me if I’m wrong...
Explore Thesaurus
20. 20
have
or
have got
[TRANSITIVE] [NEVER PROGRESSIVE] to be responsiblefor 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 hasn’t got a job.
Foley had a junior post in the Foreign Office.
To be responsible for something:answer for, accept, carry...
Explore Thesaurus
21. 21
have
or
have got
[TRANSITIVE] [NEVER PROGRESSIVE] used for sayingthat something has
been planned or arranged for a particular time
I’ve got an appointment with the dentist tomorrow afternoon.
Geoffrey’s got lectures all day tomorrow.
To choose, or to change the timing of something:fix, time, schedule...
Explore Thesaurus
22. 22
have
or
have got
[TRANSITIVE] [NEVER PROGRESSIVE] to be holdingsomeone 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.
To hold something or someone:carry, hold on, hang on...
Explore Thesaurus
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 cuts the grass once a fortnight.
To employ someone:employ, appoint, take on...
Explore Thesaurus
24. 24
[TRANSITIVE] [NEVER PROGRESSIVE] INFORMAL to have sex with someone
He thinks he can have any woman he wants.
To have sex:sleep
with, consummate, copulate...
Explore Thesaurus
25. From our crowdsourced Open Dictionary
25
you had me at X used for saying that
someone does not need to continue trying to persuade you, because you are already convinced
You had me at ice cream and musicals.
This is your 'you had me at hello' moment.
Submitted from United Kingdom on 07/07/2016

PHRASES
 have a baby/child/twins etc

 someone had better/best do something
 have been had
 have a good/nice something
 have (got) something all to yourself
 have (got) it coming
 have (got) someone (right/just/exactly) where you want them
 have (got) something ready/done/finished
 have had it
 have a duty/responsibility/obligation etc (to do something)
 having done something/having been
 rumour/word/legend has it that
 someone won’t have something
 you have me there
PHRASAL VERBS
 have/have got against

 have away
 have in
 have in for
 have off
 have on
 have out
 have over
 have round
 have up
See also
 the haves
 made
Usage note: have
In conversation or informal writing the auxiliary use of have is often shortened. Have can be
shortened to ’ve, has to ’s, and had to ’d: They’ve already left.John’s lost his ticket.I’d forgotten
to tell you. These short forms can be followed by ‘not’ to make negative sentences: I’ve not seen
anyone.She’d not arrived.
The ordinary transitive uses of have are not usually shortened, though ’ve and ’d forms are
sometimes possible: I’ve a sister who lives in York.
Short forms are usually used before ‘got’: I’ve got an idea.Jack’s got the tickets.
Negative forms can also be shortened: have not can be shortened to haven’t, has not can be
shortened to hasn’t, and had not can be shortened to hadn’t.

Macmillan Dictionary have definitions and uses

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Macmillan Dictionary have definitions and uses

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Macmillan Dictionary.

have - definition and synonyms

 have a baby/child/twins etc

 have/have got against

You might also like