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would
1[ wood; unstressed wuhd ]
/ wÊd; unstressed wÉd /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
auxiliary verb
verb (used with object)
(used to express a wish): Would he were here!
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Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I canât figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Idioms about would
would like, (used to express desire): I would like to go next year.
would rather. rather (def. 9).
Origin of would
1First recorded before 900; Middle English would, wald(e), wold(e), wuld(e), Old English wolde, walde;see origin at will1
words often confused with would
See should.
Words nearby would
wot, Wotan, wotcher, Wotton, Wouk, would, would-be, wouldn't, wouldn't dream of, would rather, wouldst
Other definitions for would (2 of 2)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use would in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for would
would
/ (wÊd, unstressed wÉd) /
verb (takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive)
used as an auxiliary to form the past tense or subjunctive mood of will 1
(with you, he, she, it, they, or a noun as subject) used as an auxiliary to indicate willingness or desire in a polite mannerwould you help me, please?
used as an auxiliary to describe a past action as being accustomed or habitualevery day we would go for walks
I wishwould that he were here
undefined would
See should
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with would
would
The American HeritageÂź Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.