Antonyms for having


Grammar : Verb
Spell : hav; unstressed huhv, uhv; for 26 usually haf
Phonetic Transcription : hæv; unstressed həv, əv; for 26 usually hæf


Definition of having

Origin :
  • Old English habban "to own, possess; be subject to, experience," from Proto-Germanic *haben- (cf. Old Norse hafa, Old Saxon hebbjan, Old Frisian habba, German haben, Gothic haban "to have"), from PIE *kap- "to grasp" (see capable). Not related to Latin habere, despite similarity in form and sense; the Latin cognate is capere "seize." Old English second person singular present hæfst, third person singular present hæfð became Middle English hast, hath, while Old English -bb- became -v- in have. The past participle had developed from Old English gehæfd.
  • Sense of "possess, have at one's disposal" (I have a book) is a shift from older languages, where the thing possessed was made the subject and the possessor took the dative case (e.g. Latin est mihi liber "I have a book," literally "there is to me a book"). Used as an auxiliary in Old English, too (especially to form present perfect tense); the word has taken on more functions over time; Modern English he had better would have been Old English him (dative) wære betere. To have to for "must" (1570s) is from sense of "possess as a duty or thing to be done" (Old English). Phrase have a nice day as a salutation after a commercial transaction attested by 1970, American English. Phrase have (noun), will (verb) is from 1954, originally from comedian Bob Hope, in the form Have tux, will travel; Hope described this as typical of vaudevillians' ads in "Variety," indicating a willingness to perform anywhere, any time.
  • verb be in possession
  • verb endure, bear
  • verb contain
  • verb cheat, trick
  • verb bring into the world
Example sentences :
  • So while you were having your fun there I was having mine here, and I had it good and plenty.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • He not only closed it, but locked it, having secretly hidden the key in his pocket.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • There sat his nephew in the old place, apparently not having stirred.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • Having a partiality for Robert, this was not likely to recommend his enemy in her eyes.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • I know all about that, and who was the means of having him sent away.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • Come, before he comes to gibe us for having heeded a moment.
  • Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
  • It is very honorable in you to make the offer, and I like you the better for having made it.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • You are, indeed, fortunate in having escaped from the snare he laid for you.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • He came home with me, and, far from having perished at sea, is now alive and well.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • We are very fortunate in having such a good depot, as the feed is very good.
  • Extract from : « Explorations in Australia » by John Forrest

Synonyms for having

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019