Skip to main content
to have

to have

∞ 1.0
To experience an illness, feeling, or problem
  • verb
  • /hæv/
: tener
  • Why does life have to be so stressful?
  • have difficulty
  • have trouble
  • have problems

You feel that we're having fun with him more.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Our children shouldn't have to run from bullets.

  • Many people have anxiety when they are about to give a presentation.

  • Newton: "It appears that Master Peter is having a problem with his liver again."

    Academic text (2011)
  • You're taking it very well, I have to say.

  • Once you have identified your stressors and have plans in place, it is time for action.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Years after they graduate, many people still have nightmares about being unprepared for a test.

    Academic text (2011)
  • After his accident, he had to deal with constant pain for several months.

  • She had a feeling of dread before the big meeting.

Synonyms

to get
vsto have
∞ 3.5

To experience something unpleasant, for example punishment or criticism

is the general word for undergoing or being affected by conditions
to feel
vsto have
∞ 1.0

To notice an emotion or a physical sensation in your body

is broader including external events and conditions not only inner sensations
to suffer
vsto have
∞ 2.0

To feel pain or be ill

is neutral and does not imply strong harm or distress
to experience
vsto have
∞ 2.1

To feel something while it happens to you

is used more generally for being affected by conditions or events
to receive
vsto have
502 1.0

To get a reaction such as praise or criticism

is more active and general covering being affected by events or conditions
to take
vsto have
297 6.1

Become ill or suddenly feel unwell

is more neutral, covering any condition rather than only illnesses
to undergo
vsto have
273 3.9

To go through something often unpleasant or difficult

is used for general being affected not only for long processes
to sustain
vsto have
96 3.8

To suffer an injury or damage

is the general term covering simple being affected not only injuries

Antonyms

865 2.5

Get back to a normal state after a loss, for example health or money

Idioms

148 4.1

Support and protect someone in hard times

102 7.5

Argue angrily with someone about something

To not know anything about a subject or situation

46 6.2

To be brave enough to do something bold or rude

45 7.6

To mean other similar things or people not mentioned

to have a blast
  • Informal
43 5.2

To enjoy yourself a lot

That shows the work is finished or the result is ready

39 7.8

To deserve punishment because of your actions

to have a ball
  • Informal
35 6.5

Enjoy yourself a lot

31 7.2

To try to get the good parts of two opposite choices at the same time

To be naturally good at doing something

to have a fit
  • Informal
28 5.3

To suddenly become very angry or upset and show it strongly

Show kindness to someone who needs help

23 6.3

Wish someone a nice day or a good time as a friendly goodbye

To be good at noticing small details and good qualities in things

20 8.2

To complain about something

20 4.2

Allow someone to do or choose what they want

we have a winner
  • Informal
17 5.8

You say this when someone wins or something works well

To be someone another person listens to for advice or influence

to have the gall
  • Informal
13 7.9

Be bold enough to do something rude or shocking

12 5.4

Happens by chance in a lucky, helpful way

11 9.1

To be very angry with someone and want to punish them

to have legs
  • Informal
10 7.7

Be likely to succeed or last a long time

Stand out for a special or rare quality

To be very unlikely to succeed

To have a good reason or proof to support your claim

Find it very difficult to do something

7 9.3

Get very upset or angry about something small

7 7.0

To be good sometimes even if not overall

to have it made
  • Informal
6 5.6

To be in a very lucky situation with little to worry about

Feel sad and a little down

To have complete power over someone by controlling what they need or fear

to let's have it
  • Informal
4 8.2

Tell us what you think

To care about someone or something and want to help them

3 8.4

Have no chance of success

To be for a certain person, often you

3 7.9

To punish or scold someone strongly for making a mistake

To show clearly that something is typical of a person or made by them

To work well with children so they feel comfortable

To tell others there is a serious or unexpected problem

1 9.9

Threaten someone with very serious punishment, often as a joke

1 6.3

To be organized, prepared, and able to manage tasks and problems

1 8.4

To be pregnant and expecting a baby

To feel very successful and have control of your life

1 9.9

To be brave enough to do something difficult or risky

To be wrong about something and later be forced to change your mind

To be rude enough to do something that shows no respect

1 9.9

To offer something unbelievable to trick someone, often as a joke

1 8.9

Enjoy yourself a lot

To cause a sharp feeling of hurt that lasts for a while

to have kittens
  • Informal
1 8.8

Become very upset or angry in a way that is too strong

To feel anxious or nervous before something happens

Phrasal Verbs

∞ 2.3

To show that something could have happened in the past but did not

To be about something or connected to it

∞ 3.0

To touch each other's private parts for physical pleasure

Find something difficult or annoying

948 1.0

To own something, including amounts and qualities

To enjoy yourself at an event or activity

Find something difficult to do

340 3.2

To think of a certain person, thing, or idea

212 1.0

Please sit down

194 1.0

To wear clothes or accessories

192 1.3

To check something carefully, for example an essay or a machine

132 3.3

To like someone as more than a friend, often secretly

To get what you want even when other people disagree

To know someone's phone number so you can call them

to have words
  • Informal
122 6.9

Talk angrily to someone because of a disagreement

to have a clue
  • Informal
121 4.1

To know even a little about something

Get hurt or have things damaged in an unexpected event

To receive guests at your home

58 8.1

To angrily tell someone off

57 3.1

To be able to give an opinion and influence a decision

45 8.1

To have sex with someone

To include someone as part of a team to work on a project

to have a laugh
  • Informal
35 1.6

Enjoy something funny and laugh with others

Help make something happen or influence how it is done

to have at
  • Informal
26 7.9

To start something quickly and with a lot of energy

25 4.1

Know how to do something so well you can do it without thinking

Eat a small amount of food as a quick snack

22 4.3

Try doing something, often for the first time

21 8.4

To keep being angry with someone and try to harm or blame them

To understand something well enough to deal with it

Get a professional to do a job for you

12 6.0

To understand something fully and feel sure about it

10 7.2

To tell someone you are unhappy with them in an angry way

9 3.4

To try doing something you have not done before

To finish something and stop taking part in it

Argue with someone and feel angry or upset afterward

To finish something unpleasant so you stop worrying

To be unable to control strong feelings or tiredness

3 8.4

To be impressive, successful, or attractive in a way people notice

To speak to someone in private about something sensitive

1 7.2

A woman who has surgery to permanently stop having children by closing her fallopian tubes

To try to do something when you are not sure you will succeed

1 9.9

To deal with someone you do not approve of

Invite people to your home to visit or eat

1 9.9

To have sex with someone, used in informal British English

1 4.5

Ask someone like a plumber to come to your home to do a job

to have a go at it
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To have sex with someone

1 9.9

To secretly steal something

1 8.2

To ask for money or help without trying to earn it

1 8.1

To tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

1 9.9

Tell someone to stop talking or giving unwanted opinions

Show strong or good qualities for a short time

9.9

To have sex with someone

To celebrate and enjoy yourself loudly at a big party

8.2

Get angry and defensive when you feel criticized

8.1

To use skill to control people or things to get what you want

Hire professional painters to come and paint your home

to have to punt
  • Informal
9.2

To delay deciding for now because it is difficult or unclear

Compounds

16 7.3

A person who has little money and few things

A past event that could have happened but did not

How Severe

afflicted
17 5.9
to suffer
∞ 2.0
to have
∞ 1.0
to experience
∞ 2.1
to feel
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

have infinitive
having present participle
has third person singular
had past
had past participle

Etymology

Have comes from the old English word habban, which meant 'to hold'. Think of 'having' an illness or feeling as 'holding' it inside you, which is why have can mean 'to experience' or be affected by something.