would

¹ American  

[wood, wuhd] / wʊd, wəd /

auxiliary verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of will.

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. (used to express a wish).

   Would he were here!

idioms

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

   I would like to go next year.

2. would rather. rather.

would ² American  

[wohld] / woʊld /

noun

1. weld.

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would British  

/ wʊd, wəd /

verb

1. used as an auxiliary to form the past tense or subjunctive mood of will 1

2. 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

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would More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing would

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

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Commonly Confused

See should.

Etymology

Origin of would

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

Example Sentences

That would be the highest quarterly growth in four years, from 13.4% in the fourth quarter and an 8.5% to 14% range in the past two years, according to the bank.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Rival airline executives scoffed that they would benefit from increased jet-fuel output on the East Coast without the headaches of refinery ownership.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Deutsche Bank said earnings growth would broaden out across sectors, with 10 of 11 in positive territory, led by megacap growth and tech.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

A combined company would also have a better geographic mix.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The words came out more like a question than Berlin would have liked.

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