Must

/məst/ · verb

Meaning

To do as a requirement; indicates that the sentence subject is required as an imperative or directive to execute the sentence predicate, with failure to do so resulting in a failure or negative consequence..

Definitions by Sense

1. To do as a requirement; indicates that the sentence subject is required as an imperative or directive to execute the sentence predicate, with failure to do so resulting in a failure or negative consequence.
2. To do with certainty; indicates that the speaker is certain that the subject will have executed the predicate.
3. Used to indicate that something is very likely, probable, or certain to be true.
4. Something that is mandatory, required or recommended.
5. The property of being stale or musty.
6. Something that exhibits the property of being stale or musty.
7. Fruit juice that will ferment or has fermented, usually from grapes.
8. (transitive) To make musty.

Example Sentences

You must arrive in class on time.

This door handle must be rotated fully.

Everybody told me I must stop worrying, but I couldn't, because I felt there must be something wrong.

You really must come and see us soon, pal. - We'll see: I can borrow my dad's car, but I must bring it back before midnight.

The physician said that I must / had to / would have to stop smoking.

Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

If it has rained all day, it must be very wet outside.

Where would you have put the keyring? You couldn’t have lost it again! - I must have, because it's nowhere to be found.

Synonyms for must

Antonyms for must

Related Words

Word Forms

• must
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• -
• mote
• motest
• mus'
• musts
• musting
• musted

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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