would

Meanings

Verb

• Past tense of will; usually followed by a bare infinitive.
• A modal verb, the subjunctive of will; usually followed by a bare infinitive.

Noun

• Something that would happen, or would be the case, under different circumstances; a potentiality.

Related

Similar words

• (indicating an action in the past that happened repeatedly or commonly): used to
• (used to express a polite request): be so good as to, kindly, please

Origin

• From Old English wolde, past tense of willan.