was
Was (verb) means the past tense of "be", used with "I", "he", "she" and "it". Example: “I was very tired after the long journey home.”
verb
1
The past tense of "be", used with "I", "he", "she" and "it".
"I was very tired after the long journey home."
"It was a warm evening, so we ate outside."
"She was waiting at the station when the train arrived."
name
1
A rare surname or initialism found in some records, not a common personal or place name.
"Was appears only rarely as a surname in genealogical records."
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like was.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I _____ very tired after the long journey home.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Was” mean?
The word “Was” means a rare surname or initialism found in some records, not a common personal or place name.
How do you use “Was” in a sentence?
Here is “Was” used in a sentence: “Was appears only rarely as a surname in genealogical records.”
What part of speech is “Was”?
“Was” is a name.
Is “Was” a common word?
“Was” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between "was" and "were"?
"Was" is the past tense of "be" used with I, he, she, and it: "I was late." "Were" goes with you, we, and they: "they were late." "Were" is also used for all persons in hypothetical if-sentences: "if I were you."
Is it "if I was" or "if I were"?
Use "were" for situations that are imaginary or contrary to fact: "If I were rich, I'd travel." Use "was" when the past situation may really have happened: "If he was at the meeting, he heard the news." In casual speech "if I was" is common even for hypotheticals, but "if I were" remains the standard formal choice.
Is it "there was" or "there were"?
The verb agrees with the noun that follows: "there was a problem" (singular) but "there were problems" (plural). In informal speech people often say "there was" before plurals, but formal writing requires "there were."
What is the difference between "was" and "has been"?
"Was" (past simple) describes a finished situation in the past: "She was a teacher for ten years" implies she no longer is. "Has been" (present perfect) connects the past to now: "She has been a teacher for ten years" means she still is.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing was in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
The company's foray into digital exhibition with a 2K-resolution dual-projector system was part of a long-planned shift.
From
Wired · Jul 25, 2026
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include was:
