have
Third Person
has
Present Participle
having
Past Tense
had
Past Participle
had
1
to hold or own something
transitive
- I have a collection of antique coins that I inherited from my grandfather.
- They used to have a beach house.
- Does your friend have a reliable computer?
- He has a rare stamp from the 19th century.
- We have a reservation at the restaurant.
Synonyms:
2
to undergo or experience something
transitive
- They had difficulties adjusting to the new city.
- She had a wonderful experience during her travels.
- I had a tough day at work dealing with unexpected issues.
- If she continues driving so recklessly, she'll have an accident one day.
- Ever since the software update, we've been having a lot of issues with our computer system.
Synonyms:
3
(dummy verb) to perform an action that is specified by a noun
transitive
- He had a laugh with his friends at the comedy show.
- He had a go at solving the challenging puzzle.
- Have a look at this new gadget; it's quite innovative.
- We can have a game of tennis after work.
- We usually have a workout at the gym in the mornings.
4
used for saying that something is in a specific position or state
- He had his hands on his hips, waiting for a response.
- We had the car parked in the shade to avoid the sun.
- They had their feet up on the coffee table, relaxing after a long day.
- I had my phone in my pocket the entire time.
- She had her laptop open, working on a project.
5
(auxiliary) used with a past participle in forming perfect tenses
- I have visited that museum before.
- They have already eaten dinner.
- She has completed her assignment.
- He has finished reading the novel.
- They have not received the package yet.
6
to arrange for something to be done by someone for one
- They're having their house painted next week.
- I had my computer fixed by a technician.
- He had his car serviced before the road trip.
- We're having the kitchen renovated next month.
- She had her manuscript edited by a professional.
7
to carry an item with oneself
transitive
- Do you have a pen I can borrow?
- Have you got a map of the city with you?
- She always has a first aid kit in her car.
- She always has her sunglasses with her in the car.
- Do you have an extra jacket on you?
8
to show kindness or understanding toward someone in a difficult situation
transitive
- May the judge have mercy on your soul during the trial.
- The teacher chose to have pity on the student and overlooked the mistake.
- In times of distress, it's crucial to have compassion for those in need.
- The king decided to have mercy on the captured rebels and spared their lives.
- The coach chose to have compassion for the injured player and allowed a break.
9
to acquire a favorable result by offering money or incentives, typically in an unethical manner
- Information about the competitor's strategy can be had for a price.
- Some officials can be had if you offer the right incentive.
- The journalist discovered that exclusive details could be had with the right amount.
- In certain situations, favorable outcomes can be had by greasing the wheels.
- The corrupt official made it clear that permits could be had through bribery.
10
to participate in a physical activity
transitive
- She's planning on having a swim at the beach this afternoon.
- Let's have a hike in the mountains this weekend.
- They had a run together in the park.
- We decided to have a quiet stroll along the beach.
- It's a beautiful day; why not have a run around the neighborhood?