would

¹

[ wood; unstressed wuhd ]

auxiliary verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of will ¹.
2. (used to express the future in past sentences):

   He said he would go tomorrow.

3. (used in place of will, to make a statement or form a question less direct or blunt):

   That would scarcely be fair. Would you be so kind?

4. (used to express repeated or habitual action in the past):

   We would visit Grandma every morning up at the farm.

5. (used to express an intention or inclination):

   Nutritionists would have us all eat whole grains.

6. (used to express an uncertainty):

   It would appear that he is guilty.

7. (used in conditional sentences to express choice or possibility):

   They would come if they had the fare. If the temperature were higher, the water would evaporate.

8. would have, (used with a past participle to express unfulfilled intention or preference):

   I would have saved you some but Jimmy took it all.

verb (used with object)

1. (used to express a wish):

   Would he were here!

would

²

[ wohld ]

noun

1. weld ².

would

/ wʊd; wəd /

verb

1. used as an auxiliary to form the past tense or subjunctive mood of will 1
2. withyou, he, she, it, they, or a noun as subject used as an auxiliary to indicate willingness or desire in a polite manner

   would you help me, please?

3. used as an auxiliary to describe a past action as being accustomed or habitual

   every day we would go for walks

4. I wish

   would that he were here

Usage

See should

Confusables Note

See should.

Word History and Origins

Origin of would¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English would, wald(e), wold(e), wuld(e), Old English wolde, walde; will ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. would like, (used to express desire):

   I would like to go next year.

2. would rather. rather ( def 9 ).

More idioms and phrases containing would

• as luck would have it
• fly on the wall, would like to be a
• wouldn't

Example Sentences

Whereas Marian remains a soldier who won’t admit the war is over, Dolours, who would marry actor Stephen Rea, becomes more thoughtful and regretful with time, and suffers for it.

From Los Angeles Times

On the other, no one inside the Lakers locker room would dare compare the two, the first definitely still a novelty the Lakers would’ve happily traded, prize money and all, for even a long shot chance to win the big title in the spring.

From Los Angeles Times

At the time, Rios and Rodriguez were among hundreds of residents who opposed an ordinance that would allow cannabis retailers to operate in the city.

From Los Angeles Times

She also testified that Felix had “blackmailed” her to have sex with him, or he would tell her mother about the abuse.

From Los Angeles Times

“Two little girls, 6 and 9, went to sleep not knowing the last time they would see their parents would be when they woke up to find them shot to death,” said Todd Spitzer, Orange County district attorney.

From Los Angeles Times