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have

v. · n.
US //ˈhæv// have
Irregular verb past had past participle had
  1. 1 to own or possess (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to own something or have it with you.

    to possess or own a physical object or an abstract quality. Transitive — requires a direct object.

    Example

    I have a new laptop that I use for my university work.

    Example

    The company doesn't have the necessary resources to expand into the European market this year.

    Usage

    In the present tense, 'have got' is a common informal alternative to 'have' for possession.
    Pitfall
    I am having a car.
    I have a car.

    When 'have' means 'to own', it is a stative verb and is not usually used in the continuous (-ing) form.

  2. 2 relationships and features (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to describe your family, friends, or the parts of something.

    to state the existence of a relationship or a constituent part.

    Example

    She has two brothers and a sister who live in London.

    Example

    The new apartment building has a rooftop garden and a small gym for the residents.
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  1. 3 to eat or drink (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to eat a meal or drink something.

    to consume food, drink, or other substances.

    Example

    We are having dinner at a nice Italian restaurant tonight.

    Example

    Would you like to have a coffee while we wait for the rest of the team to arrive?

    Usage

    Unlike the 'possession' sense, this sense can be used in the continuous (-ing) form.
  2. 4 to experience (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to go through an event or feel an emotion.

    to undergo or experience an event, activity, or state of mind.

    Example

    I hope you have a great time at the party tonight.

    Example

    The passengers had a very difficult journey due to the heavy snow and train cancellations.
  3. 5 auxiliary for past actions (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    a helper word used with another verb to talk about the past.

    an auxiliary verb used with a past participle to form the perfect aspect.

    Example

    I have already seen that movie three times.

    Example

    By the time the police arrived, the suspects had already fled the scene through the back exit.

    Usage

    Followed by a past participle (e.g., 'have seen', 'has gone').

  4. 6 to cause or arrange (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to make someone do something or arrange for a job to be done.

    to cause something to be done by someone else; often used in the 'have something done' structure.

    Example

    I need to have my car repaired before our road trip.

    Example

    The manager had his assistant book the flights and prepare the presentation for the conference.

    Usage

    Often follows the pattern: have + object + past participle.
  5. 7 to trick (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    to trick or deceive someone.

    to deceive or outwit someone, often used in the passive voice.

    Example

    He realized too late that he had been had by the street performer.

    Example

    The investors soon discovered they had been had by a sophisticated Ponzi scheme that promised impossible returns.
  6. 8 wealthy person (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a person who has a lot of money and many things.

    a person who possesses significant wealth or social privilege; usually used in the plural phrase 'the haves and the have-nots'.

    Example

    The gap between the haves and the have-nots is growing in many cities.

    Example

    The documentary explores the social tensions that arise when the haves live in gated communities right next to impoverished slums.
    • have not
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