would

¹ American  

[wood, wuhd] / wʊd, wəd /

auxiliary verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of will.

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. (used to express a wish).

   Would he were here!

idioms

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

   I would like to go next year.

2. would rather. rather.

would ² American  

[wohld] / woʊld /

noun

1. weld.

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would British  

/ wʊd, wəd /

verb

1. used as an auxiliary to form the past tense or subjunctive mood of will 1

2. 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

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would More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing would

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

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Commonly Confused

See should.

Etymology

Origin of would

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

Example Sentences

The Chief correctly warned that the regulation would force a “reordering of the domestic power sector before this court has an opportunity to review its legality.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

With a net worth estimated between $135 million and $226 million, Warsh would become the wealthiest Federal Reserve Chairman in history.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Attorney Jeanine Pirro said, if warranted, she would reopen the probe, which concerns Powell’s congressional testimony about the renovation of central-bank buildings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

“If you spoke to 100 former U.S. attorneys I don’t think you’d find one who would say that they felt political pressure to bring a case or not bring a case,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

“This would have meant so much to him. I’m glad you didn’t listen to me.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam