Definition Synonyms
Definition of would - Reverso English Dictionary
Auxiliary verb
1.
polite askingexpresses a polite request or offer
- Would you like some tea?
2.
future pastindicates a future action from the past
- She said she would call me later.
3.
grammarexpresses a hypothetical or imagined situation
- If I were rich, I would travel the world.
4.
preferenceexpresses a preference or desire
- I would rather stay home tonight.
5.
habitexpresses a repeated action in the past
- Every summer, we would visit our grandparents.
6.
grammarexpresses willingness or intention in the past
- She would help whenever she could.
7.
adviceused to give advice or recommendations
- I would suggest taking the earlier train.
8.
guessing toneexpresses a belief or assumption
- That would be the postman at the door.
Expressions with would
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
questions the benefit of an action or idea
He suggested calling again, but what good would that do?
express conditional death happening before others in a situation
He said he would die first if the disease worsened.
ask someone to do something politely
Would you mind closing the window?
no reason to do something
In there would be no point in arguing further.
expresses annoyance at someone's inaction
Would it kill John to help with the dishes?
used to express what seems likely or logical
You would think he would call by now.
strongly refuse to do something embarrassing
She would never be caught dead wearing that outfit.
strongly refuse to do something, even more than dying
I would sooner die than betray my friends.
it seems to be true based on evidence
He hasn't called back, so it would appear he's not interested.
used to avoid revealing a secret or surprise
"What are you planning for my birthday?" "That would be telling."
rhetorical question expressing surprise or disbelief
Who would have known that he could sing so well?
expresses a mild preference between two options
I would just as soon stay home as go out.
events happen as if controlled by destiny
As fate would have, they met again years later.
express doubt that something will happen or be true
Chance would be a fine thing if I won the lottery.
connects effort with unexpected result despite trying
Try as he would, he couldn't solve the puzzle.
expresses surprise or disbelief about something unexpected
Would you credit it, he won the lottery again!
used to make a polite request or offer
I would like a cup of tea, please.
want something in a polite or formal way
I would like some water, please.
asking if someone wants something
Would you like some coffee?
used to talk politely about a possible situation or wish
It would be nice to take a vacation together.
asks if something will have any useful result
What good would it do to argue with him?
questioning the purpose or benefit of something
What would be the point of going if it's closed?
asking if an action will have negative consequences
Would it hurt to ask for help?
express desire but state a reason for refusal
I would love to but unfortunately I have other plans.
Origin of would
Old English, wolde (past of will)
Terms with would included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
advice
it would be sensible
unintended passage
pass through when it would normally be blocked
preference wish
expressing what someone would prefer in a situation
decision
thinking what you would do if you were another person
fulfill commitment
do what you said you would do
promise
do what you promised or said you would do
who would
contraction for 'who would' in informal contexts
linguistics
contraction for 'who would' in conditional sentences
concentration
give more careful focus to something than you normally would
hypothetical
in a manner that would be true if something were the case
condition
indicating that something would not happen without another thing
harmless
is very gentle and would not harm anyone
desire
need or want something that would help or improve a situation
desire benefit
express wanting or needing something that would help or improve
extreme desire
feel so eager for something you would give up a lot
hypothetical situation
shows what would happen without a certain person or thing
asset pricing
price at which an asset would sell in a competitive auction setting
comparison
in a way that is better than people thought would happen
quality value
as good as claims or reputation would suggest
story clue
suggested in advance that something would happen later
events
unexpected change that alters what people thought would happen
yearly rate
adjusted to show what it would be in one year
trick action
trick someone so they do something they would not do
shameful fact
hidden fact that would cause shame if revealed
Examples of would in a sentence
Would you help me with this project? He promised he would finish the project. They knew it would rain soon. She would help if she knew how. They would go if they had the time. She would prefer tea over coffee any day.
They would choose a quiet evening over a loud party. He would always bring flowers for her. They would play in the park every weekend. He said he would call after the meeting. They promised they would support the plan. I would recommend trying the new restaurant downtown. You would benefit from a good night's sleep. She would likely be at the meeting now. He would probably know the answer.
View all translations of would
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:vouloir, aller à l'imparfait + infinitif, ...
- German:möchten, würde, ...
- Italian:vorresti, avrebbe, ...
- Spanish:gustaría, condicional de futuro en el pasado, ...
- Portuguese:gostaria, iria, ...
- Chinese:要不要...？, 会, ...
- Japanese:いかが, だろう, ...
- Arabic:هَلْ تَوَدّ, سوف, ...
- Hebrew:לִרְצוֹת, בַּעֲתִיד, ...
- Russian:хотеть, бы, ...
- Ukrainian:б, зателефонує, ...
- Hindi:क्या, फोन करेगी, ...
Definition of will - Reverso English Dictionary
Auxiliary verb
1.
predictionshow future time
- She will travel to Japan next month.
2.
volitionshow willingness, choice, or intention
- I will help you after class.
3.
guessshow likely truth by inference
- That will be the postman at the door.
4.
habitshow what usually happens
- He will often read before bed.
5.
mannersmake polite requests or offers
- Will you join us for dinner?
Noun
1.
decision controlability to make decisions or control oneself
- His strong will helped him resist the temptation..
2.
inheritance paperlegal document for property distribution after death
- She left her house to her children in her will.
3.
authorityperson's orders or commands
- He imposed his will on the team.
Verb
1.
inheritanceleave property to someone in a will
- He willed his library to the town.
2.
mindcause something by mental effort
- He willed the pain away.
3.
ordersstate in a will that something must be done
- She willed that the house remain untouched.
4.
desireDated wish for something stronglyDated
- She willed peace for her family.
Expressions with will
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
freely without restrictions or limitations
She can change her schedule at will.
booth for collecting pre-ordered tickets
We picked up our tickets at the will call.
unwavering firmness in purpose
His iron will kept him going despite the challenges.
the situation will improve
Don't worry, things will work out in the end.
polite question offering another serving of food or drink
Dinner was delicious, will you have seconds?
used to say mistakes happen even with care
Keep calm; accidents will happen, even to careful drivers.
without someone's consent or agreement
She was taken to the hospital against her will.
without someone's consent or agreement
They took him away against his will.
calm people ultimately influence decisions more than angry people
Let's pause the debate; cooler heads will prevail by morning.
people will be fired for big mistakes
After the product recall, heads will roll at the factory.
chance to succeed or advance will come soon
Opportunity will knock if you keep trying..
said after wrongdoing when consequences make the person learn a lesson
He cheated on the test, that will show him.
only time can reveal the outcome of events
Only time alone will tell if they succeed.
the future will reveal the truth or outcome
Only time will tell if the plan works.
truth becomes known despite attempts to hide it
No matter how hard you try, the truth will come out.
not acceptable or suitable for a particular purpose or situation
This old car will never do for a long trip!
expresses uncertainty about a female's decision or action
Everyone is wondering, will she, won't she attend the party?
feel anger or dislike toward someone
She does not bear ill will against her old friend.
yield to someone's demands or control
He finally bent to her will after hours of arguing.
criticize or attack freely without restraint
During the debate, the candidates were allowed to fire at will.
very strong determination that does not break easily
She achieved her goals with a will of iron.
dependent on the decisions or power of another person or group
The workers felt their jobs were at the will of the manager.
used to excuse or justify boys' mischief or roughness
He broke the window, but boys will be boys.
move slightly to make space for someone
Budge up, will you? I need to sit down.
Origin of will
Old English, willa (desire)
Examples of will in a sentence
The meeting will start at nine. We will stay until the meeting ends. She will call you tonight. That will be Mia calling again. You will be tired after the flight. On cold nights, the old pipes will rattle.
She will sometimes skip lunch when busy. Will you please close the window? Will you have some more tea? She showed great will in overcoming obstacles. His will was unshakable despite the challenges. His will specified donations to several charities. The lawyer read the will to the family. She followed his will without question. The king's will was absolute in the kingdom. She willed her house to her niece. They willed the painting to the museum. She willed herself to stay calm. He willed his hands to stop shaking. He willed that his papers be donated. They willed that the garden stay public. He willed success for his daughter. They willed an end to the fighting.
View all translations of will
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:futur simple, volonté, ...
- German:werden, Wille, ...
- Italian:per indicare il futuro, determinazione, ...
- Spanish:futuro simple, voluntad, ...
- Portuguese:ir, vontade, ...
- Chinese:会, 意志力, ...
- Japanese:未来は現在形で表す, 意志力, ...
- Arabic:سَ, إِرَادَة, ...
- Hebrew:מְסַמֵּן זְמַן עָתִיד, רָצוֹן, ...
- Russian:быть, сила воли, ...
- Ukrainian:майбутній час, сила волі, ...
- Hindi:होना, इच्छाशक्ति, ...
icon to discover related terms: analogies, antonyms, common collocates, words with same roots, umbrella terms… Try with happening or hunch.
icon next to the first example to see two additional options and learn to use new vocabulary naturally.
icon to save words you want to revisit. You can also save a specific meaning by clicking on the