Word
haves
US/ˈhævz/
UK/hˈævz/
Definition
n. people who have a lot of money, power, or good things in life. This word is often used to talk about the gap between rich and poor people.
n. people who possess significant wealth, social status, or material advantages. Often used in sociological or political contexts to contrast with 'have-nots'.
Examples
“The haves and have-nots are becoming more divided.”
“The new tax policy was designed to help the have-nots while the haves saw their fortunes grow.”
“Sociologists often study how the haves maintain their social capital through exclusive networks, while the have-nots struggle to access the same opportunities for advancement.”
Examples
simple
“The haves and have-nots are becoming more divided.”
contextual
“The new tax policy was designed to help the have-nots while the haves saw their fortunes grow.”
complex
“Sociologists often study how the haves maintain their social capital through exclusive networks, while the have-nots struggle to access the same opportunities for advancement.”
Etymology
From have + -s, from Middle English heven, hebben, from Old English hebban, from Proto-West Germanic habbjan, from Proto-Germanic habjaną (“to take up, lift”), from Proto-Indo-European kh₂pyéti, from the root kap-. See have for details.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/haves