Had Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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had

[hæd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

past tense

The word 'had' is the past tense of 'have'. It is used to indicate possession, experience, or occurrence in the past. 'Had' conveys an action or state that was completed previously.

Synonyms

experienced, owned, possessed.

Examples of usage

  • I had a car when I lived in the city.
  • She had a great time at the party last night.
  • They had finished their homework before dinner.
  • We had discussed the plans earlier.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'had'

The word 'had' originates from the Old English 'hæfde', which is the past tense of 'habban', meaning 'to have'. Its evolution reflects the linguistic changes that took place through the Middle English period, where it became 'hadde'. Over time, 'had' became a fundamental part of English grammar as it serves both as a main verb and as an auxiliary in perfect tenses. The usage of 'had' illustrates a specific aspect of temporality and is essential in forming past perfect tenses. It remains a vital component in the expression of completed actions in the past. The versatility of 'had' is evident in phrases that signal not only possession, but also experiences, signifying its integral role in the English language structure.


Word Frequency Rank

At rank #11, this is one of the most fundamental words in English. It's absolutely essential to master this word as it forms the backbone of English communication and appears in almost every conversation or text.