have on
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To be wearing an item of clothing or an accessory: This is the primary meaning, indicating that someone is dressed in something or has a particular garment on their body.
Usage
- This verb is used to describe the state of wearing clothes, shoes, jewelry, or other accessories. It is often used in the continuous tenses (e.g., "is having on") or simple tenses.
- It is typically followed by the item of clothing.
- Note: While correct, "have on" (in the sense of wearing) is less common in modern everyday American English than "wear" or "have on" in the sense of "to have an appointment/engagement." The phrasal verb "have on" for wearing is more frequently used in British English.
Examples
- (This asks what she was wearing.)
Advanced Usage
- "have something on": This structure is fixed. The item of clothing is the object and is placed between "have" and "on."
- Correct: She had a red dress on.
- Less Common: She had on a red dress.
Variants and Related Words
- Wear (verb): The most common and direct synonym for "have on" in the context of clothing.
- Be dressed in (verb phrase): A more formal way to express the same idea.
- Sport (verb, informal): To wear something in a stylish or noticeable way.
- He was sporting a new hat.
Synonyms
- Wear
- Be clothed in
- Be attired in (more formal)
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Have on (a different meaning): To have an appointment, plan, or engagement.
- I have a lot on at work this week.
- Put on: To don clothing; the action of beginning to wear something.
- Put on your shoes before you go outside.
- Try on: To put on clothing to see if it fits or looks good.
- I need to try on this jacket.
Related Idioms
- Have nothing on (someone): To have no evidence against someone; or, to be not as good as someone else.
- The police have nothing on the suspect. (No evidence.)
- This new player has nothing on the veteran. (Is not as good as.)
- Have (got) something on someone: To possess damaging information about someone.
- He's quiet because she has something on him.
Verb
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be dressed in
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She was wearing yellow that day
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