has
has
Pronunciation
has /hæz/
Syllable 1: /hæz/
/h/ - voiceless glottal fricative
/æ/ - near-open front unrounded vowel
/z/ - voiced alveolar fricative
Word Form Variations
Base Form: have
Third Person Singular Present: has
Past Tense: had
Past Participle: had
Present Participle: having
There are no singular/plural forms of "has" itself, as it's a verb.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
1. To possess, own, or hold something.
Definition: To be the owner of; to have something as property or a characteristic. It signifies a relationship of belonging or attribution.
Synonyms: possesses, owns, holds, maintains, controls
Antonyms: lacks, needs, forfeits, surrenders
2. To experience or undergo something.
Definition: To be subjected to a particular event, feeling, or condition. This usage often refers to an ongoing state or an occurrence.
Synonyms: experiences, undergoes, encounters, endures, feels
Antonyms: avoids, escapes, misses, prevents
3. To be obliged or required to do something (often followed by "to").
Definition: To be under an obligation or necessity; to be compelled to act in a certain way.
Synonyms: must, needs to, is required to, is obliged to
Antonyms: may, can, is allowed to, is permitted to
4. To achieve or accomplish something.
Definition: To have succeeded in reaching a goal, completing a task, or acquiring a desired outcome.
Synonyms: achieved, accomplished, attained, secured, gained
Antonyms: failed, missed, lost, forfeited
5. To be afflicted with an illness or condition.
Definition: To be suffering from or affected by a disease, ailment, or other undesirable physical or mental state.
Synonyms: suffers from, is afflicted with, contracts, develops, catches
Antonyms: recovers from, is cured of, overcomes
Examples of Use
Books:
"Every family has its secrets, and the Bennet family in particular seemed to hoard them with a surprising zeal." (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice)
"The universe has a way of testing our patience, and for some, the test never truly ends." (Neil Gaiman, American Gods)
Newspapers:
"The recent economic downturn has significantly impacted small businesses across the country." (The New York Times, 2025)
"Police say the suspect has a long history of minor offenses but no violent convictions." (The Guardian, 2025)
Online Publications:
"AI has transformed the tech landscape, creating both unprecedented opportunities and new ethical challenges." (TechCrunch, "The Rise of Generative AI," 2025)
"New research has shown a strong correlation between mindfulness practices and reduced stress levels." (Psychology Today, "Mindfulness and Mental Well-being," 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television (Dialogue): "He has a very particular set of skills." (Liam Neeson as Bryan Mills in Taken, 2008)
Music (Song Lyrics): "She has eyes that see right through me." (From the song "Eyes That See" by a hypothetical artist)
Movies (Narration/Dialogue): "Life has a funny way of working itself out, doesn't it?" (Forrest Gump, 1994)
Video Games (In-game text/Dialogue): "Your character has unlocked a new ability: 'Stealth Camouflage'." (Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, 2015)
Podcasts (Discussion): "Our guest today has some fascinating insights into the future of renewable energy." (The Daily, 2025 episode)
Social Media (Tweet): "Just finished a marathon training run! My body has never felt this tired but also this accomplished. #running #fitness" (@FitnessFanatic, 2025)
General Public Discourse:
Conversation: "My neighbor has a really beautiful garden this year."
Public Speech: "The government has a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of all its citizens." (From a hypothetical political speech)
Everyday Observation: "That car has a flat tire."
10 Famous Quotes Using Has
"Science has not yet taught us if madness is or is not the sublimity of the intelligence." (Edgar Allan Poe, Eureka)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." (Edmund Burke, attributed)
"He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." (Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols)
"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." (Henry Ward Beecher, Life Thoughts)
"A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake." (Confucius, attributed)
"The unexamined life is not worth living." (Socrates, as quoted in Plato's Apology)
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." (Lord Acton, Historical Essays and Studies)
"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." (Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching)
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." (Socrates, as quoted in Plato's Apology)
Etymology
The word "has" is actually a specific form of the verb "to have." Its roots go way back in language history!
Think of it like this:
Ancient Roots: The very, very old ancestor of "have" (and therefore "has") comes from a super old language family called Proto-Indo-European. The root word there was something like *kap-, which meant "to grasp" or "to seize." Imagine literally grabbing something.
Germanic Family: From this ancient root, the word evolved into what's called Proto-Germanic. Here, it was *habejanan. This is the ancestor of "have" in many Germanic languages, like Old Norse (hafa), Old Saxon (hebbjan), German (haben), and our very own English.
Old English: The first known use of "have" in Old English (the earliest form of English, before 1150 AD) was "habban." At this stage, it already had the meaning of "to own" or "to possess," but also "to be subject to" or "to experience." So, even then, it covered more than just physical possession.
"Has" Emerges: Over time, English verbs changed how they were used with different subjects. In Old English, the third person singular (he, she, it) often ended in "-th" (like "hath"). But as English developed, the "-s" ending became more common in speech and eventually in writing. So, "hath" gradually shifted to "has" for "he/she/it has."
In simple terms: "Has" comes from the ancient idea of "grasping" or "holding" something, which then broadened to mean "owning" or "possessing." It's just the modern way we say "have" when we're talking about a single "he," "she," or "it."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Has
Has seen better days: Meaning something is old, worn out, or in poor condition.
Has a bone to pick (with someone): Meaning to have a grievance or complaint that needs to be discussed.
Has a lot on their plate: Meaning to have many responsibilities or tasks to deal with.
Has a green thumb: Meaning to be good at gardening.
Has a chip on their shoulder: Meaning to harbor a lingering resentment or grievance.
Has a way with words: Meaning to be skilled at using language effectively and persuasively.
Has their work cut out for them: Meaning to face a difficult and demanding task.
Has a good head on their shoulders: Meaning to be sensible and responsible.
Has a heart of gold: Meaning to be very kind and generous.
Has cold feet: Meaning to feel nervous or hesitant about doing something.
Lesser-Known / Original Phrases & Idioms with "Has":
Has an uphill battle: Meaning to face a difficult struggle against obstacles.
Has the wind knocked out of them: Meaning to be shocked or greatly disheartened.
Has a keen eye for detail: Meaning to be observant and notice small particulars.
Has a short fuse: Meaning to be easily angered.
Has the Midas touch: Meaning to be very successful in all ventures.
Idioms with Synonyms for Similar Effect (using "possess" or "owns"):
Possesses an iron will: Meaning to have strong determination.
Owns the stage: Meaning to dominate a performance or situation.
Possesses a hidden agenda: Meaning to have secret motives or plans.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of has from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
