were Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun)
   be.
   
   • John is rich
   • This is not a good answer
2. verb be identical to; be someone or something
   be.
   
   • The president of the company is John Smith
   • This is my house
3. verb occupy a certain position or area; be somewhere
   be.
   
   • Where is my umbrella?" "The toolshed is in the back
   • What is behind this behavior?
4. verb have an existence, be extant
   be; exist.
   
   • Is there a God?
5. verb happen, occur, take place; this was during the visit to my parents' house"
   be.
   
   • I lost my wallet
   • There were two hundred people at his funeral
   • There was a lot of noise in the kitchen
6. verb be identical or equivalent to
   be; equal.
   
   • One dollar equals 1,000 rubles these days!
7. verb form or compose
   constitute; represent; be; comprise; make up.
   
   • This money is my only income
   • The stone wall was the backdrop for the performance
   • These constitute my entire belonging
   • The children made up the chorus
   • This sum represents my entire income for a year
   • These few men comprise his entire army
8. verb work in a specific place, with a specific subject, or in a specific function
   be; follow.
   
   • He is a herpetologist
   • She is our resident philosopher
9. verb represent, as of a character on stage
   embody; be; personify.
   
   • Derek Jacobi was Hamlet
10. verb spend or use time
    be.
    
    • I may be an hour
11. verb have life, be alive
    be; live.
    
    • Our great leader is no more
    • My grandfather lived until the end of war
12. verb to remain unmolested, undisturbed, or uninterrupted -- used only in infinitive form
    be.
    
    • let her be
13. verb be priced at
    be; cost.
    
    • These shoes cost $100

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