Synonyms

was

American

[wuhz, woz, wuhz] / wʌz, wɒz, wəz /

verb

first and third person singular past indicative of be.

was British

/ wɒz, wəz /

verb

the past tense (indicative mood) of be 1
not_standard a form of the subjunctive mood used in place of were, esp in conditional sentences

if the film was to be with you, would you be able to process it?

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of was

First recorded before 950; Middle English; Old English wæs, past tense singular of wesan “to be”; cognate with Old Frisian, Old High German, Gothic was, Old Norse var; wassail

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her last post on Instagram was around 7 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

It was not immediately clear when Spears, 44, checked into rehab.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

“This was an unfortunate incident that is completely inexcusable,” a Spears representative told The Times following the arrest.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

It was his picture on the post but a different name.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Mystery Auntie was still at the pickup window, leaning on one elbow and laughing.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023