Definition of 'were'
English Easy Learning GrammarBeThe verb be is used as an auxiliary verb and it can also be used as a main verb. See
Types of main verb.
The verb be is irregular. It has eight different ... Read more
The verb be is irregular. It has eight different ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarThe subjunctiveThe subjunctive was formerly used in English for situations that were improbable or
that expressed a wish. It is only rarely used in modern British English. ... Read more
We're is the usual spoken form of 'we are'.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
were
Word Frequency
were in British English
verb
▶ USAGE Were, as a remnant of the past subjunctive in English, is used in formal contexts in clauses
expressing hypotheses (if he were to die, she would inherit everything), suppositions contrary to fact (if I were you, I would be careful), and desire (I wish he were there now). In informal speech, however, was is often used insteadthe plural form of the past tense (indicative mood) of be and the singular form used with you. It is also used as a subjunctive, esp in conditional sentences
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
Old English wērun, wæron past tense plural of wesan to be; related to Old Norse vera, Old Frisian weria, Old High German werōn to last
Word Frequency
were in American English
verb intransitive
pl. & 2d pers. sing., past indic., and the past subjunc., of
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
ME weren < OE wæron, akin to Ger waren < Gmc base *wæz- < IE base *wes-: see be verb intransitiveWord Frequency
we're in American English
(wɪər)
contraction of
we are
We're happy to see you
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Examples of 'were' in a sentence
were
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
Trends of
were
View usage for:
Browse alphabetically
were
Related terms of
were
Source
Definition of were from the Collins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
advice or advise?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
advise
advice
Doctors that he should be transferred to a private room.
role or roll?
Which version is correct?
peer or pier?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
peer
pier
Children were asked to work with a .
waive or wave?
Which version is correct?
censor or sensor?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
censor
sensor
Television companies tend to bad language in feature films.
Your score:
Word of the day
amnesty
An amnesty is an official pardon granted to a group of prisoners by the state.
7 mouth-watering foodie words with roots in other languages
How many foodie words have made their way into English vocabulary that came from international cuisine? Whether you’re devoted to doppio or mad about mango, we’ve explored foodie words in the Collins Dictionary with origins in other languages to tease your tastebuds.
Read more
Say Something Nice Day!
Nada cuesta añadir una sonrisa, ‘It costs nothing to add a smile’, is a Spanish phrase imprinted on my memory from when, years ago, I taught myself to touch-type in Spanish and it was one of the practice phrases.
Read more
11 Gen Z words you need to know
We love it when new words become a hot topic of conversation and the last few weeks, ‘cheugy’ has been sweeping social media. In case you missed it, ‘cheugy’ surfaced on TikTok and has been defined as ‘the opposite of trendy’.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
faltering economy or industrial economies?
Which version is correct?
draft proposal or takeover proposal?
Which version is correct?
negative view or ocean views?
Which version is correct?
fantastic atmosphere or poisonous atmosphere?
Which version is correct?
face the danger or spell danger?
Which version is correct?
Your score: