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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

have words en · VERB

Pronunciation

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic, of two or more parties) To argue, to have an argument.
    • "It's no treat to me to 'and the dishes when the atmosphere's what you might call electric. . . ." "Did they have words?" Parker shook his head impatiently. "That sort don't have words, Ellen. They just sit and goggle." 1920, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter 2, in The Little Warrior:
  2. (followed by with, idiomatic, of one party) To speak sternly, angrily, or in an argumentative manner to.
    • Clare was for a while protected by the man's unreadiness to have words with his brother, who always took his wife's part. 1890, George MacDonald, chapter 47, in A Rough Shaking:
    • "This man is highly irresponsible," a spokeswoman tells the Post. "We definitely want to have words with him." 2003 December 18, Martin Wainwright, “Happy Chip on a natural high”, in guardian.co.uk, retrieved 24 Aug 2010:
    • Gratton has had a series of meetings with Toros president John F. Bassett since he quit the Blues last week after having words with coach Garry Young. 1975 December 8, “Gratton, Toros talk”, in Ottawa Citizen, retrieved 24 Aug 2010:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
having words Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
has words Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
had words Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
had words Tense=Past lexicographic
have some words alternative lexicographic

Translations (11)

it fare discussioni (to argue) · it prendere a parole (to speak sternly) · it sgridare (to speak sternly) · scn fari discussioni (to argue) · is rífast (to argue) · is deila við (to argue) · it rimproverare (to speak sternly) · scn dìrisi malapalori (to argue) · nl woorden hebben (to argue) · scn diri malapalori (to speak sternly) · it prendersi a parole (to argue)