would

¹

[ wood; unstressed wuhd ]

auxiliary verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of will ¹.
2. (used to express the future in past sentences):

   He said he would go tomorrow.

3. (used in place of will, to make a statement or form a question less direct or blunt):

   That would scarcely be fair. Would you be so kind?

4. (used to express repeated or habitual action in the past):

   We would visit Grandma every morning up at the farm.

5. (used to express an intention or inclination):

   Nutritionists would have us all eat whole grains.

6. (used to express an uncertainty):

   It would appear that he is guilty.

7. (used in conditional sentences to express choice or possibility):

   They would come if they had the fare. If the temperature were higher, the water would evaporate.

8. would have, (used with a past participle to express unfulfilled intention or preference):

   I would have saved you some but Jimmy took it all.

verb (used with object)

1. (used to express a wish):

   Would he were here!

would

²

[ wohld ]

noun

1. weld ².

would

/ wəd; wʊd /

verb

1. See will
   used as an auxiliary to form the past tense or subjunctive mood of will 1
2. withyou, he, she, it, they, or a noun as subject used as an auxiliary to indicate willingness or desire in a polite manner

   would you help me, please?

3. used as an auxiliary to describe a past action as being accustomed or habitual

   every day we would go for walks

4. I wish

   would that he were here

Usage

See should

Confusables Note

See should.

Word History and Origins

Origin of would¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English would, wald(e), wold(e), wuld(e), Old English wolde, walde; will ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. would like, (used to express desire):

   I would like to go next year.

2. would rather. rather ( def 9 ).

More idioms and phrases containing would

• as luck would have it
• fly on the wall, would like to be a
• wouldn't

Example Sentences

But on Thursday Boxer triggered a Golden State political earthquake, announcing that she would not seek a fifth term in 2016.

From The Daily Beast

To those who agreed with him, Bush pledged that the law against same-sex marriage would remain intact.

From The Daily Beast

It would became one of the first great mysteries in the United States of America, as it was only then 23 years old.

From The Daily Beast

Without it, they say, the disease would surely kill her within two years.

From The Daily Beast

Almost all of the network and cable news channels said that they would not be showing the cartoons either.

From The Daily Beast

"Capital, capital," his lordship would remark with great alacrity, when there was no other way of escape.

From Project Gutenberg

Bessires was included because he would never win it at any later date, but his doglike devotion made him a priceless subordinate.

From Project Gutenberg

You would not think it too much to set the whole province in flames so that you could have your way with this wretched child.

From Project Gutenberg

He was voluble in his declarations that they would “put the screws” to Ollie on the charge of perjury.

From Project Gutenberg

And she would be wearing some of the jewels with the white dress—just a few, not many, of course.

From Project Gutenberg