were
a second person singular past indicative; first, second, and third person plural past indicative; and past subjunctive of be.
Origin of were
1Grammar notes for were
Words that may be confused with were
Words Nearby were
Other definitions for we're (2 of 2)
contraction of we are:We're happy to see you.
usage note For we're
Words that may be confused with we're
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use were in a sentence
Having yourself immortalized with a paunch indicated you were wealthy/held high office/were involved in derring-do.
If you find yourself hungering for more humorous were-action, check out the British version of Being Human on BBC America.
So too, does Henry Kissinger and did the late Arthur Schlesinger Jr., but they are/were apparently another story.
There was a certain difficulty in obtaining the necessary funds without announcing precisely what they-were for.
Hyacinth | George A. BirminghamIn pattern it showed bright green flowers-that-never-were sprawling on a purple background.
Roast Beef, Medium | Edna Ferber
In Abyssinia, at the present day, blacksmiths are considered to be were-wolves, according to Winstanley.
In tropic countries we have stories of supernatural snakes, who appear in various forms, as were-snakes, shall we say?
The Supernatural in Modern English Fiction | Dorothy ScarboroughAccordingly they returned to the Court, where the 288 were-wolf became an object of the greatest curiosity to all.
Legends & Romances of Brittany | Lewis Spence
British Dictionary definitions for were (1 of 2)
/ (wɜː, unstressed wə) /
the plural form of the past tense (indicative mood) of be and the singular form used with you. It is also used as a subjunctive, esp in conditional sentences
Origin of were
1usage For were
British Dictionary definitions for we're (2 of 2)
/ (wɪə) /
we are
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
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