would
would / woŏd/ • modal verb (3rd sing. present would) 1. past of will1 , in various senses: he said he would be away for a couple of days he wanted out, but she wouldn't leave the windows would not close.2. (expressing the conditional mood) indicating the consequence of an imagined event or situation: he would lose his job if he were identified. ∎ (I would) used to give advice: I wouldn't drink that if I were you.3. expressing a desire or inclination: I would love to work in Prague would you like some water?4. expressing a polite request: would you pour the wine, please? ∎ expressing willingness or consent: who would live here?5. expressing a conjecture, opinion, or hope: I would imagine that they'll want to keep it I guess some people would consider it brutal I would have to agree.6. used to make a comment about behavior that is typical: every night we would hear the boy crying | derog. they would say that, wouldn't they? 7. poetic/lit. expressing a wish or regret: would that he had lived to finish it.