Definition of would in English English dictionary
- As a modal verb
What dost thou professe? What would’st thou with vs?.
- As a past-tense form of will
The free access model, the media magnate said last week, was malfunctioning. Well he would, wouldn't he?.
- {n} a dyer's weed for yellow
- Indicating an action in the past that happened repeatedly or commonly
- You use would when you are referring to the result or effect of a possible situation. Ordinarily it would be fun to be taken to fabulous restaurants It would be wrong to suggest that police officers were not annoyed by acts of indecency It would cost very much more for the four of us to go from Italy
- {f} helping verb for use in a question, request or expression of desire (used to make the statement more polite)
- When would precedes a verb, it questions the absoluteness of the verb and makes the verb conditional
- would WEAK STRONG Would is a modal verb. It is used with the base form of a verb. In spoken English, would is often abbreviated to 'd
- politeness You use would, usually in questions, when you are politely asking someone to do something. Would you come in here a moment, please? Oh dear, there's the doorbell. See who it is, would you, darling. = could
- You use would to say that someone was willing to do something. You use would not to indicate that they refused to do something. They said they would give the police their full cooperation She indicated that she would help her husband He wouldn't say where he had picked up the information
- Indicating in action or state that is conditional on another
- You use would to talk about something which happened regularly in the past but which no longer happens. Sunday mornings my mother would bake. I'd stand by the fridge and help = used to
- Commonly used as an auxiliary verb, either in the past tense or in the conditional or optative present
- You use would not to indicate that something did not happen, often in spite of a lot of effort. He kicked, pushed, and hurled his shoulder at the door. It wouldn't open He kept trying to start the car and the battery got flatter and flatter, until it wouldn't turn the engine at all
- politeness You use would, usually in questions with `like', when you are making a polite offer or invitation. Would you like a drink? Perhaps you would like to pay a visit to London
- If you say that someone would have liked or preferred something, you mean that they wanted to do it or have it but were unable to. I would have liked a life in politics She would have liked to ask questions, but he had moved on to another topic
- You use would, or would have with a past participle, to indicate that you are assuming or guessing that something is true, because you have good reasons for thinking it. You wouldn't know him His fans would already be familiar with Caroline It was half seven; her mother would be annoyed because he was so late
- Used to express a polite request
- You use would have with a past participle when you are saying what was likely to have happened by a particular time. Within ten weeks of the introduction, 34 million people would have been reached by our television commercials
- Indicating a possible (but not definite) future action or state
- Used to indicate a wish or desire (usually contrary to facts)
- Conditionel Place le verbe au conditionel I would like to be rich
- You use would in the main clause of some `if' and `unless' sentences to indicate something you consider to be fairly unlikely to happen. If only I could get some sleep, I would be able to cope A policeman would not live one year if he obeyed these regulations
- You use would, especially with `like', `love', and `wish', when saying that someone wants to do or have a particular thing or wants a particular thing to happen. Right now, your mom would like a cup of coffee Ideally, she would love to become pregnant again He wished it would end would rather: see rather
- You use would when you are saying what someone believed, hoped, or expected to happen or be the case. No one believed he would actually kill himself Would he always be like this? He expressed the hope that on Monday elementary schools would be reopened A report yesterday that said British unemployment would continue to rise
- disapproval You say that someone would do something when it is typical of them and you are critical of it. You emphasize the word would when you use it in this way. Well, you would say that: you're a man
- vagueness You use would, or sometimes would have with a past participle, when you are expressing your opinion about something or seeing if people agree with you, especially when you are uncertain about what you are saying. I think you'd agree he's a very respected columnist I would have thought it a proper job for the Army to fight rebellion I would imagine she's quite lonely living on her own
- You use I would when you are giving someone advice in an informal way. If I were you I would simply ring your friend's bell and ask for your bike back There could be more unrest, but I wouldn't exaggerate the problems
- You use would with `if' clauses in questions when you are asking for permission to do something. Do you think it would be all right if I smoked? Mr. Cutler, would you mind if I asked a question?
- auxiliary verb used to express a condition, futurity, preference, intention, longing, probability, a request, habitual action, or uncertainty, as in: I would go with you if I could
- You use you would in negative sentences with verbs such as `guess' and `know' when you want to say that something is not obvious, especially something surprising. Chris is so full of artistic temperament you'd never think she was the daughter of a banker
- You use would have with a past participle when you are referring to the result or effect of a possible event in the past. My daughter would have been 17 this week if she had lived If I had known how he felt, I would never have let him adopt those children
- You use would when saying what someone intended to do. The statement added that although there were a number of differing views, these would be discussed by both sides George decided it was such a rare car that he would only use it for a few shows
- Indicating an action in the past that was planned or intended
- would have liked to
- nearly; almost
I'd have liked to died laughing!.
- would like
- Used to form polite requests
I would like to go swimming tomorrow.
- would like
- want; desire (used to form polite requests, suggestions etc.)
Would you like tea, or coffee?.
- would not throw someone out of bed
- an understatement meaning one finds a person sexually attractive
She was the sort of woman middle-aged men said they wouldn't throw out of bed, but never expected to get into it.
- would of
- Eye dialect misspelling and mispronunciation of would have or would've
- would've
- would have; indicating a non-occurring action or state that was conditional on another non-occurring event in the past
I would've gone if it hadn't rained.
- would-be
- attempting or desiring something
Would-be marines have to get through a rigorous examination.
- would-be
- unfulfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition
Would-be film stars often become waitresses.
- would be
- {i} (Informal) person who hopes or is attempting to become something or attain the status of something
- would it were so
- I wish it were like that
- would like
- wants, is interested in -
- would pass in a crowd
- can pass by without being noticed
- would sell his own mother
- is capable of selling even his mother, having no sentiments or scruples and would do anything for money
- would that
- I wish that
- would that he were still living
- I wish that he were still alive
- would you care to go for a walk?
- do you want to take a stroll
- would you kindly
- would you be so kind as to, could you please, would you mind
- would you like to go to bed with me
- will you go to sleep with me; would you have sexual intercourse with me
- would you please
- please, if you would be so kind
- would've
- {f} used to express the possibility that one may have done something but were prevented by circumstances
- would've
- Would've is a spoken form of `would have', when `have' is an auxiliary verb. My mum would've loved one of us to go to college. the short form of 'would have'
- would-be
- seeking advancement or recognition
- would-be
- pretend; will be
- would-be
- unfilled or frustrated in realizing an ambition
- would-be
- You can use would-be to describe someone who wants or attempts to do a particular thing. For example, a would-be writer is someone who wants to be a writer. a book that provides encouragement for would-be writers who cannot get their novel into print. would-be actor/murderer etc someone who hopes to have a particular job or intends to do a particular thing
- Eddie would go
- Said of challenging surfing conditions or a challenging wave or challenges in general. Used as an encouragement or as a general comment on difficulty or danger
2002: Eddie Would Go: The story of Eddie Aikau, Hawaiian Hero — title of book by Stuart Coleman (ISBN 097062137X).
- Will
- A diminutive of the male given name William. Also used as a formal given name
- as luck would have it
- As it happened; how it turned out; by good fortune; fortunately or luckily
I didn't plan to stop there, but as luck would have it, they were open when I went by.
- chance would be a fine thing
- Alternative form of chance'd be a fine thing
- face that would stop a clock
- A shockingly unattractive face
Archie was an artist, finely chiselled, the type girls go for like catnip. He . . . was expected to marry an American heiress. But she loved a muscular curate with a face that would stop a clock.
- face that would stop a clock
- A shockingly attractive face
I can remember when you could stop a clock.
- if pigs had wings they would fly
- Expresses speakers skepticism toward a hypothetical argument by another
- never-would-be
- One who will never achieve a great amount of success
State politicians were still generally despised as second-raters, has-beens and never-would-bes more interested in lining their own pockets than in delivering services to those whom they were supposed to represent.
- what would Jesus do
- Expression intended to help a Christian facing a choice with moral, ethical or religious implications
- will
- Used to express the future tense, formerly with some implication of volition, especially in first-person. Compare shall
I will rejoin you, and we will fly ; but from this moment until then, let us not tempt Providence, Morrel; let us not see each other; it is a miracle, it is a providence that we have not been discovered; if we were surprised, if it were known that we met thus, we should have no further resource.”.
- will
- One's intention or decision; someone's orders or commands
Eventually I submitted to my parents' will.
- will
- To be able to, to have the capacity to
Unfortunately, only one of these gloves will actually fit over my hand.
- will
- To bequeath (something) to someone in one's will (legal document)
He willed his stamp collection to the local museum.
- will
- To instruct (that something be done) in one's will
- will
- To wish, desire
- will
- The act of choosing to do something; a person’s conscious intent or volition
Most creatures have a will to live.
- will
- To wish, desire (something)
Grant what Thou dost command, and command what Thou wilt.
- will
- That which is desired; one's wish
I auow by this most sacred head / Of my deare foster child, to ease thy griefe, / And win thy will .
- will
- A formal declaration of one's intent concerning the disposal of one's property and holdings after death; the legal document stating such wishes
- will
- To habitually do (a given action)
How telling is it that many women will volunteer for temporary disablement by wearing high heeled shoes that hobble them?.
- will
- To wish or desire (that something happen); to intend (that)
see God's goodwill toward men, hear how generally his grace is proposed, to him, and him, and them, each man in particular, and to all. 1 Tim. ii. 4. God will that all men be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth..
- will
- To try to make (something) happen by using one's will (intention)
All the fans were willing their team to win the game.
- will
- One's independent faculty of choice; the ability to be able to exercise one's choice or intention
Of course, man's will is often regulated by his reason.
- will
- To choose to (do something), used to express intention but without any temporal connotations (+ bare infinitive)
- will
- Desire, longing. (Now generally merged with later senses.)
He felt a great will to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
- wouldst
- Second-person singular simple past form of will
Wouldst thou be so kind to tell me thy name, my good sir?.
- wouldst
- Alternative spelling of wouldest
- will
- {f} want; act by will power; cause will power; command; determine, decide
- will
- In law, a formal declaration, usually in the form of an executed document, of a person's wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property after death. It is valid if it meets the formalities of the law, which usually requires that it be witnessed. It may be considered invalid if, among other instances, the testator was mentally incapable of disposing of his or her property, if it imposes unreasonable or cruel demands as a condition of inheritance, or if the testator did not have clear title to the bequeathed assets. Any party who contests a will must bring the claim within a time specified by statute and must bear the burden of proof in demonstrating that the will is faulty. See also probate. free will problem Kellogg John Harvey and Will Keith living will Wilde Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wills Bob James Robert Wills Wills Helen Newington Helen Newington Wills Moody Roark Helen Wills Moody
- will
- {f} verb used together with other verbs to indicate the future tense
- will
- Arbitrary disposal; power to control, dispose, or determine
- if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
- Wishing for something or wanting it is not the same as getting or having it
- will
- {n} a choice, command, bequest, testament
- will
- {v} to desire, command, direct, purpose
- Will
- A weak-side linebacker
- Would have
- woulda
- Would not
- nolde
- Would not
- nould
- will
- A testamentary disposition of property, usually in a form prescribed by law, that takes effect upon death
- will
- a legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die
- will
- decree or ordain; "God wills our existence
- will
- or "He will go,"
- will
- leave or give by will after one's death; "My aunt bequeathed me all her jewelry"; "My grandfather left me his entire estate"
- will
- {i} desire; will power; want; determination; volition
- will
- Strong wish or inclination; desire; purpose
- will
- A legal document that states who is to receive a person's estate and assets after their death
- will
- To enjoin or command, as that which is determined by an act of volition; to direct; to order
- will
- Thus, in first person, "I will"
- will
- To be willing; to be inclined or disposed; to be pleased; to wish; to desire
- will
- describes a future event as a fact only
- will
- To emphasize will denotes (according to the tone or context) certain futurity or fixed determination
- will
- A written and signed statement, made by an individual, which provides for the disposition of their property when they die (See also codicil and probate )
- will
- A document that, when signed and witnessed, gives legal effect to the wishes of an individual, called a testator, to provide for the disposal of property upon death
- will
- A document setting out a person's wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property after death
- will
- The legal instrument traditionally used to direct disposition of one's property after death
- will
- the legal statement of a persons wishes concerning the disposal of his or her property after death
- will
- To bequeath (something) to someone in ones will (legal document)
- will
- A person's intent, volition, decision
- will
- decree or ordain; "God wills our existence"
- will
- Indicating intent to perform the action in the future
- will
- the amount of psychic energy at the ego's disposal Usually directed into the psychic functions
- will
- a fixed and persistent intent or purpose; "where there's a will there's a way" a legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die determine by choice; "This action was willed and intended" have in mind; "I will take the exam tomorrow" decree or ordain; "God wills our existence
- will
- legal document expressing the wishes of an individual regarding distribution of his or her property after death
- will
- That which is strongly wished or desired
- will
- To intend, decide to do something, wish strongly
- will
- determine by choice; "This action was willed and intended"
- will
- Normally a legally executed written instrument by which a person makes disposition of his or her property to take effect after death
- will
- To try to make (something) happen by using ones will (intention)
- will
- To exercise an act of volition; to choose; to decide; to determine; to decree
- will
- To wish; to desire; to incline to have
- will
- The choice or determination of one who has authority; a decree; a command; discretionary pleasure
- will
- The choice which is made; a determination or preference which results from the act or exercise of the power of choice; a volition
- will
- the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention; "the exercise of their volition we construe as revolt"- George Meredith
- will
- A testamentary document naming the people who will deal with your property and affairs after your death, and setting out how your property and finances should be distributed
- will
- A written document which disposes of the property of the person making it on his or her death It must be signed by the person making it and in England and Wales must be witnessed by two witnesses There are detailed rules about how that must be done In Scotland a will may be valid if it is in the maker's handwriting In any case of doubt advice from Legal Division should be sought
- will
- the legal document containing the statement of a person's wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property after death
- will
- Document used to specify the transfer of property after the testators death
- will
- Indicating intent to perform the action in the future, or expectation of an event in the future
- will
- To form a distinct volition of; to determine by an act of choice; to ordain; to decree
- will
- A legal document expressing the wishes of an individual regarding distribution of his or her property after death
- will
- A legal document that outlines how a person wishes to have their property disposed of after their death In the absence of a will, property will be disposed of in accordance with the intestate statutes of the state
- will
- a document stating how a person wants real and personal property divided after death
- will
- A legal document that specifies how assets are to be distributed at your death and names guardians for minor children Drawing up a will is a very important aspect of estate planning BACK TO TOP
- will
- As an auxiliary, will is used to denote futurity dependent on the verb
- will
- The directions, in legal form, for the distribution of one's property after death
- will
- is emphasized, it denotes determination or fixed purpose; as, I will go if you wish; I will go at all hazards
- will
- denotes willingness, consent, promise; and when "will"
- will
- Indicating expectation that the subject will perform the action in the future
- will
- A person's written declaration of desires for disposal of his or her property after death
- will
- Thus, in first person, "I will" denotes willingness, consent, promise; and when "will" is emphasized, it denotes determination or fixed purpose; as, I will go if you wish; I will go at all hazards
- will
- a fixed and persistent intent or purpose; "where there's a will there's a way"
- will
- The legal document completed in accordance with state law that states how your assets will be distributed on your death, appoints an executor for your estate, may establish trusts for your children and name a trustee for those trusts, names guardians for your children, and so forth When planning for a QPRT, if the remainder beneficiaries are limited to adult children, a make-up provision is often provided for, under the grantor's will, the issue of any deceased child (or even a child who is a minor)
- will
- have in mind; "I will take the exam tomorrow"
- will
- A will is a document that directs how your property is to be distributed upon your death It must be drawn up and signed with certain formalities such as the correct number of witnesses, a proper signing ceremony, etc A will that does not comply with all of these requirements can be successfully contested and set aside If that occurs, the decedents property is distributed as set forth in the Missouri statutes which is often contrary to the wishes of the decedent
- will
- The legal declaration of a person's mind as to the manner in which he would have his property or estate disposed of after his death; the written instrument, legally executed, by which a man makes disposition of his estate, to take effect after his death; testament; devise
- will
- Being ready to perform an action or comply with a request, see willing (verbal adjective)
- will
- In the second and third persons, the idea of distinct volition, wish, or purpose is evanescent, and simple certainty is appropriately expressed; as, "You will go,"
- will
- - A testamentary disposition of property, usually in a form prescribed by law, that takes effect upon death
- will
- A legally binding document that provides instructions for the disposition of an individual's property at death Can be amended or revoked up to the time of death, or until a loss of mental capacity Enforced through probate court and does not avoid probate
- will
- a legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die determine by choice; "This action was willed and intended"
- will
- See the Note under Testament, 1
- will
- A legal document by which a person outlines the disposition of his/her assets after death A will must be witnessed and executed as prescribed in state law
- will
- A written statement of a person's wishes for the disposition of that person's estate after their death
- will
- To give or direct the disposal of by testament; to bequeath; to devise; as, to will one's estate to a child; also, to order or direct by testament; as, he willed that his nephew should have his watch
- will
- The power of choosing; the faculty or endowment of the soul by which it is capable of choosing; the faculty or power of the mind by which we decide to do or not to do; the power or faculty of preferring or selecting one of two or more objects
- will
- {i} last testament listing inheritors of a dying person's property
- would like to
- fancy
- wouldst
- {f} would (Archaic)