would

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   Used to talk about the result of an imagined or unlikely situation.

   If I won the lottery, I would give half the money to charity.

2. 2
   verb

   Used as the past form of will, often for something seen from the past.

   On my first day at university, I met the woman who would become my wife.

3. 3
   verb

   Used to make a polite request or offer.

   Would you like a cup of tea?

From Old English wolde, past tense of willan, predecessor of will. The loss of /l/ in this word is probably due to weak stress, as in should and could (though in the latter, the /l/ was due to the analogy of the former two).

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