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adv A1 Beginner Very common

here

HEER

Here (adv) means At, in, or to this place — the place where the speaker is. Example: “Please come here for a moment.”

adv
1
At, in, or to this place — the place where the speaker is.
"Please come here for a moment."
"We've lived here for ten years."
intj
1
Used to attract someone's attention, offer something, or answer a roll call.
"Here, take my seat."
""Smith?" "Here!""

How to use here

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRefers to the place where the speaker currently is, as opposed to "there."

Common mistake

Don't confuse "here" (this place) with "hear" (to perceive sound) — they sound identical but mean completely different things.

Easily confused with

Word forms

heres plural

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Test yourself on “here” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Please come _____ for a moment.

Etymology

From Old English hēr ("at this place"), from a Germanic root also seen in Dutch hier and German hier.

Origin: Old English

hither in this place on hand present

Related words

Rhymes for here

See all rhymes for here →

Frequently asked questions

What does “here” mean?

The word “here” means at, in, or to this place — the place where the speaker is. In plain terms, refers to the place where the speaker currently is, as opposed to "there.".

How do you pronounce “here”?

“Here” is pronounced HEER (/ˈhɪɚ̯/ in IPA).

How do you use “here” in a sentence?

Here is “here” used in a sentence: “Please come here for a moment.”

What part of speech is “here”?

Depending on how it is used, “here” can be an adverb and an intj.

Where does the word “here” come from?

The word “here” comes from Old English. From Old English hēr ("at this place"), from a Germanic root also seen in Dutch hier and German hier.

Is “here” a common word?

“Here” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

How many meanings does “here” have?

“Here” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: at, in, or to this place — the place where the speaker is.

What is the difference between "here" and "hear"?

"Here" refers to this place — the place where the speaker is — while "hear" means to perceive sound with your ears. A useful memory trick: "hear" contains the word "ear."

Is it "here is" or "here are"?

The verb agrees with the noun that follows: "Here is your key" but "Here are your keys." In casual speech people often say "here's" before plurals, but careful writing keeps the agreement.

Is it "here you are" or "here you go"?

Both are standard ways to offer or hand something to someone. "Here you are" sounds slightly more neutral and is common in British English, while "here you go" is more casual and especially common in American English.

Why do people answer "here" during a roll call?

As an interjection, "here" is the conventional way to answer a roll call — it states that you are at this place, present and accounted for. "Present" is a slightly more formal alternative.

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