were
0 antonyms and opposites of were, grouped by meaning.
Verb — Past tense of "be," used with "you," "we," "they," or plural subjects.
We haven't recorded synonyms for were yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English were, wer, see wer.
Full origin of were →Frequently asked questions
What does “were” mean?
The word “were” means past tense of "be," used with "you," "we," "they," or plural subjects. In plain terms, the past-tense form of "be" used with plural subjects or "you.".
How do you use “were” in a sentence?
Here is “were” used in a sentence: “They were late for the train.”
What part of speech is “were”?
“Were” is a verb.
Is “were” a common word?
“Were” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between "was" and "were"?
Both are past forms of "be": "was" goes with "I," "he," "she," and "it," while "were" goes with "you," "we," "they," and plural subjects. "Were" is also used for all subjects in hypothetical statements like "if I were you".
Why do we say "if I were you"?
This is the subjunctive use of "were," which marks situations that are imaginary or contrary to fact: "If I were you," "if she were taller." It applies to every subject, which is why "were" appears even after "I" and "she".
What is the difference between "were", "we're", and "where"?
"Were" is a past tense of "be" ("they were late"), "we're" is a contraction of "we are," and "where" asks about or refers to a place. They are close enough in sound and spelling to be common mix-ups in writing.
Is "you were" correct for just one person?
Yes. "You" always takes "were," whether it refers to one person or several: "You were right." "You was" is heard in some dialects but is nonstandard in writing.