How to pronounce have
Say it like HAV. Have is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce have. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HAV
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Have pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HAVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of have
American and British speakers say have in essentially the same way: /hæv/ in the US and /hæv/ in the UK.
British respelling: HAV.
What does have mean?
- have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense“She has $1,000 in the bank”“He has got two beautiful daughters”
- have as a feature“This restaurant features the most famous chefs in France”
- go through (mental or physical states or experiences)“get an idea”“experience vertigo”
- a person who possesses great material wealth
Where does have come from?
Cognate with Scots hae (“to have”), North Frisian haa, heewe (“to have”), Saterland Frisian häbe, hääbe (“to have”), West Frisian hawwe (“to have”), Afrikaans hê (“to have”), Alemannic German haa, heen, hoh, hä, häbä, hè (“to have”), Bavari
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with have
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of have.
Words that sound like have
Questions about saying have
How do you pronounce have?
Say HAV. The American pronunciation is /hæv/. In British English it is /hæv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in have?
Have is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: HAV.
Do Americans and Brits say have the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /hæv/ and the British form is /hæv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as have?
Have sounds the same as halve in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.