Definition

1. Verb:
   • To possess, own, or hold: To be in possession or control of something, either physically or abstractly.
   • To experience or undergo: To be affected by or subjected to a particular state, condition, or event.
   • To cause or make happen: To cause something to be done or to cause someone to do something.
   • To consume or partake: To eat, drink, or use something.
   • To be obliged or required: To be under an obligation or necessity to do something (used with 'to').

Examples of Usage

• To possess:
  • I have a new car.
  • She has two sisters.
• To experience:
  • He had a terrible accident.
  • We are having a wonderful time.
• To cause:
  • I will have my assistant call you.
  • She had her hair cut yesterday.
• To consume:
  • Let's have lunch.
  • Would you like to have some coffee?
• To be obliged:
  • I have to finish this report by 5 PM.
  • You have to wear a seatbelt.

Advanced Usage

• "have got": An informal alternative for possession or obligation.
  • I've got a problem. (I have a problem.)
  • She's got to leave now. (She has to leave now.)
• "have had it": To be exhausted, fed up, or beyond repair.
  • I've had it with his excuses! (I am fed up with his excuses.)
  • This old computer has had it. (This old computer is broken beyond repair.)
• "have it in for someone": To be determined to harm or cause trouble for someone.
  • The teacher seems to have it in for me.
• "have it out with someone": To discuss a problem with someone openly to resolve it.
  • I need to have it out with my roommate about the mess.

Variants and Related Words

• Has: Third person singular present tense of 'have'.
  • She has a meeting.
• Had: Past tense and past participle of 'have'.
  • We had dinner together.
• Having: Present participle of 'have'.
  • He is having a shower.

Synonyms

• Possess: To have as belonging to one; own.
• Own: To have something as one's property.
• Experience: To undergo or live through an event or feeling.
• Undergo: To experience or be subjected to something.
• Consume: To eat, drink, or use up.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Have on: To be wearing something; to have an engagement.
  • What do you have on for the party? (What are you wearing?)
  • I have a lot on this week. (I have many appointments/engagements.)
• Have off: To take time away from work or duty.
  • I have next Friday off.
• Have over: To invite someone to one's home.
  • Let's have the neighbors over for dinner.
• Have up: To bring someone before an authority, especially a court.
  • He was had up for speeding.

Related Idioms

• Have a hand in: To be involved in something.
  • She had a hand in organizing the event.
• Have a say: To have the right or opportunity to express an opinion.
  • Employees should have a say in company policy.
• Have second thoughts: To reconsider a decision, often with doubt.
  • I'm having second thoughts about buying that car.
• Have the nerve/guts: To have the courage or audacity to do something.
  • He had the nerve to ask for a raise after being late every day.
• Have time for: To be willing to spend time with or consider someone/something.
  • I don't have time for people who are always negative.

Noun

1. a person who possesses great material wealth

Verb

1. have sex with; archaic use
   • He had taken this woman when she was most vulnerable
2. cause to be born
   • My wife had twins yesterday!
3. achieve a point or goal
   • Nicklaus had a 70
   • The Brazilian team got 4 goals
   • She made 29 points that day
4. undergo (as of injuries and illnesses)
   • She suffered a fracture in the accident
   • He had an insulin shock after eating three candy bars
   • She got a bruise on her leg
   • He got his arm broken in the scuffle
5. get something; come into possession of
   • receive payment
   • receive a gift
   • receive letters from the front
6. receive willingly something given or offered
   • The only girl who would have him was the miller's daughter
   • I won't have this dog in my house!
   • Please accept my present
7. cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner
   • The ads induced me to buy a VCR
   • My children finally got me to buy a computer
   • My wife made me buy a new sofa
8. suffer from; be ill with
   • She has arthritis
9. undergo
   • The stocks had a fast run-up
10. be confronted with
    • What do we have here?
    • Now we have a fine mess
11. have left
    • I have two years left
    • I don't have any money left
    • They have two more years before they retire
12. organize or be responsible for
    • hold a reception
    • have, throw, or make a party
    • give a course
13. have a personal or business relationship with someone
    • have a postdoc
    • have an assistant
    • have a lover
14. serve oneself to, or consume regularly
    • Have another bowl of chicken soup!
    • I don't take sugar in my coffee
15. cause to move; cause to be in a certain position or condition
    • He got his squad on the ball
    • This let me in for a big surprise
    • He got a girl into trouble
16. have ownership or possession of
    • He owns three houses in Florida
    • How many cars does she have?
17. go through (mental or physical states or experiences)
    • get an idea
    • experience vertigo
    • get nauseous
    • receive injuries
    • have a feeling
18. have as a feature
    • This restaurant features the most famous chefs in France
19. have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense
    • She has $1,000 in the bank
    • He has got two beautiful daughters
    • She holds a Master's degree from Harvard