# hast

/ˈhæst/ (US) · /hˈeɪst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hast
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. archaic form of 'have'

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

an old form of the word 'have' used with 'thou' (you).

For teachers: the second-person singular present indicative of 'have', used exclusively with the pronoun 'thou'.

- Thou hast a kind heart, my friend.
- In the sonnet, the poet declares, 'Thou hast all the world's riches in thy soul,' employing the archaic singular to address a single beloved.

Usage: Used only with the archaic pronoun 'thou'; it functions as the singular equivalent of 'have' in Early Modern English.

Teaching tip: This form is encountered in Shakespeare, the King James Bible, and historical poetry; students should recognize it but never use it in modern speech.

## Examples

- Thou hast a kind heart.
- In the old play, the king tells his son that he hast the strength of ten men.
- While modern readers often find the conjugation difficult, recognizing that 'hast' corresponds to 'have' is essential for understanding the poetry and drama of the Elizabethan era.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.