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'twas

American  
[twuhz, twoz, twuhz] / twʌz, twɒz, twəz /
  1. contraction of it was.


'twas British  
/ twɒz, twəz /

contraction

  1. it was

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

See contraction.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

How I wanted you but, sniff, sniff, ’twas not to be.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 21, 2023

A male voice in the cast parried with a hint of old-world courtliness: “Yet ’twas well sung, my friend!”

From New York Times • Feb. 16, 2023

That Wasn’t a canal — nay, ’twas a hat.

From Washington Post • Nov. 10, 2022

But men have it differently; 'twas ever thus.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2022

I protested I had no violin; but, said he, ’twas no matter; one should be provided.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson