- a simple past tense and past participle of will1.
- (used to express the future in past sentences): He said he would go tomorrow.
- (used in place of will, to make a statement or form a question less direct or blunt): That would scarcely be fair. Would you be so kind?
- (used to express repeated or habitual action in the past): We would visit Grandma every morning up at the farm.
- (used to express an intention or inclination): Nutritionists would have us all eat whole grains.
- (used to express an uncertainty): It would appear that he is guilty.
- (used in conditional sentences to express choice or possibility): They would come if they had the fare. If the temperature were higher, the water would evaporate.
- (used with a past participle to express unfulfilled intention or preference): I would have saved you some but Jimmy took it all.
- (used to express a wish): Would he were here!
- (used to express desire):I would like to go next year.
- rather (def. 9).
- used as an auxiliary to form the past tense or subjunctive mood of will 1
- used as an auxiliary to indicate willingness or desire in a polite manner
- used as an auxiliary to describe a past action as being accustomed or habitual
- I wish
