here

here — adverb

1. at or toward the precise place where the person speaking currently is.

1.adverbA1
Definition

at or toward the precise place where the person speaking currently is.

Example

Please sit here next to me during the show.

location phrase: sit here

Selim asked if there was a bank near here.

Common collocations
  • over here
  • right here
  • down here
  • up here
  • near here
  • around here
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • there

    the opposite position — not where the speaker is

Grammar Patterns

be here

come here

stay here

live here

Usage Note

Often used with verbs of location (be, stay, remain) and movement (come, bring, put). The opposite of here is there.

Common Mistakes

I go here to the park every Sunday.
I come here to the park every Sunday.
Use 'come' (not 'go') when the speaker is already at or heading toward the location.

2. used at the start of a sentence to present a person, thing, or idea to someone w

2.adverbA2
Definition

used at the start of a sentence to present a person, thing, or idea to someone who has not seen or heard it yet.

Example

Here is the report you asked for this morning.

Here is + noun phrase for presenting

Here comes the bus — we should get ready to board.

Common collocations
  • here is
  • here are
  • here comes
Synonyms
  • presenting

    describes the function, not a direct substitute in a sentence

  • this is

    used interchangeably in introductions: 'This is my friend' = 'Here is my friend'

Grammar Patterns

Here is/are + noun

Here comes + noun

Usage Note

The verb agrees with the noun that follows: 'Here is my bag' but 'Here are my bags.' In conversation, the pattern 'Here + pronoun + verb' is common: 'Here it is,' 'Here they come.'

Common Mistakes

Here your coffee is.
Here is your coffee.
The verb comes before the subject when here starts a statement.

3. said when someone reaches a place you are waiting at, or when an event or situat

3.adverbA2
Definition

said when someone reaches a place you are waiting at, or when an event or situation is just beginning.

Example

Here they are — the Okafor family just walked in.

Here they are for announcing arrival

Here we go — the final match is about to start.

Common collocations
  • here they are
  • here we go
  • here comes
  • here she comes
Synonyms
  • arrived

    past tense, tells the fact; 'here' in this sense announces the moment

  • starting

    focuses on the beginning, while 'here' adds the speaker's perspective

Grammar Patterns

Here + pronoun + verb

Here comes + noun

Usage Note

Common in fixed expressions: 'Here we go' (something begins), 'Here it comes' (anticipating an event). Unlike sense 1, this sense carries an emotional tone — excitement, worry, or relief.

Common Mistakes

Here comes she.
Here she comes.
When the subject is a pronoun, it goes before the verb, not after.

4. referring to a particular moment, detail, or topic within a discussion, situatio

4.adverbB1
Definition

referring to a particular moment, detail, or topic within a discussion, situation, or argument that is relevant right now.

Example

Here I disagree with your conclusion about the budget.

Here + subject + verb for stating opinion

The plan looks good, but here we need more data.

Common collocations
  • here I agree
  • here I disagree
  • here we see
  • here the problem
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

Here + subject + verb

Here is where...

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 2 (INTRODUCING): sense 4 does not present a new physical object or person — it points to a topic or issue in conversation. The sentence can usually be rephrased with 'at this point' or 'on this matter.'

Common Mistakes

Here I am talking about the cost.' (when meaning 'at this moment in the discussion')
Use 'At this point' or 'On this issue' for clarity if the meaning might be confused with sense 1.

5. at the present moment in time; during the current period that the speaker is exp

5.adverbA2
Definition

at the present moment in time; during the current period that the speaker is experiencing.

Example

Here the story takes a surprising turn toward mystery.

Here meaning 'at this point in time/narrative'

Winter is here, so the nights are getting colder.

Common collocations
  • here the ...
  • is here
  • finally here
Synonyms
  • now

    more direct and neutral; 'here' adds a dramatic or emotional feel

  • at this point

    slightly more formal; common in narratives and explanations

  • presently

    formal; rarely used in conversation

Antonyms
  • then

    refers to a past or future time, not the present moment

Grammar Patterns

Here + noun/verb indicating time shift

Usage Note

Often used with seasonal or stage-of-life nouns ('summer is here,' 'the future is here'). Can also mark a transition in a story or sequence ('Here the scene changes').

6. spoken as you pass an object to another person, often with a friendly or helpful

6.adverbA1
Definition

spoken as you pass an object to another person, often with a friendly or helpful tone.

Example

Here, take my umbrella — it is raining outside.

Here + imperative for handing over

Here is your change, ma'am — have a nice day.

Common collocations
  • here you go
  • here you are
  • here, take
  • here is your
Synonyms
  • take this

    a command rather than an adverb; more direct

  • have this

    friendly; common in informal giving

Grammar Patterns

Here + object pronoun + verb

Here you are/go

Here is + noun

Usage Note

In casual speech, 'here you go' and 'here you are' are fixed phrases for handing something over. 'Here' can stand alone at the start of a sentence ('Here, take this'). This sense is the only one where 'here' can function as an interjection.

Common Mistakes

Here you go' said when someone is looking for something (not handing it over).
Use 'There you go' when pointing to something someone has found. 'Here you go' = I give it; 'There you go' = you found it.
Idioms

here and there

idiom

in or to various different places; scattered around an area without a fixed pattern.

There were small flowers growing here and there along the path.

Kemi has worked in offices here and there across the city.

neither here nor there

idiom

not connected to the topic being discussed; not important or relevant to the main issue.

Whether he arrived late is neither here nor there — the problem is the quality of his work.

What I paid for it is neither here nor there; the real question is whether we need it.

by here

idiom

To or at this place.

Can you come by here after work?

The package was left by here this morning.

(the) here and now

idiom

The present moment or the current time.

We need to focus on the here and now.

Let's solve this problem here and now.

here goes

idiom

Said when you are about to start something exciting or risky.

Here goes! I'm going to try the jump.

She said 'here goes' and pressed the button.

here, there and everywhere

idiom

In many different places; all around.

The kids left toys here, there and everywhere.

We searched here, there and everywhere for the keys.

here we go

idiom

Said when something is about to begin.

Here we go! The race is starting.

He muttered 'here we go' as the meeting began.

here we go again

idiom

Said when something unpleasant is starting to happen again.

Here we go again with the same old argument.

She rolled her eyes and said 'here we go again'.

here you are

idiom

Said when handing something to someone.

Here you are, this is the book you wanted.

He handed her the pen and said 'here you are'.

here you go

idiom

Said when giving something to someone.

Here you go, a cup of coffee for you.

She smiled and said 'here you go' as she gave him the ticket.

out of here

idiom

Leaving this place; going away.

I'm out of here as soon as the bell rings.

He grabbed his bag and said 'I'm out of here'.

here’s to somebody/something

idiom

You say this when raising a glass to wish someone good health or success.

Here's to your new job, Maya! May it bring you joy.

Here's to our team's victory! We worked hard for this.

here — noun

Word family

  • hereabout
    adverbC2
  • hereafter
    adverbC1
  • hereby
    adverbC1
  • herein
    adverbC2
  • hereof
    adverbC2
  • hereto
    adverbC2
  • hereupon
    adverbC2
  • herewith
    adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Here points to the speaker's current location, while there points away from it — toward another place. If you say 'Put the box here,' you mean next to you; 'Put the box there' means across the room or at a distance. Somewhere is vaguer: it refers to an unspecified place without telling the listener where. 'I left my keys somewhere' gives no clue about location. In conversation, here and there act as deictic anchors (they depend on the speaker's position), while somewhere is non-deictic — it simply indicates existence at an unknown location. For example: 'Stand here, not there' uses the contrast clearly; 'I need to find a pharmacy somewhere' does not tell the listener where to look.

here ↗there ↗somewhere ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • right here
  • over here
  • down here
  • up here
  • back here
  • just here

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanGermanicOld EnglishEnglish

Here comes from Old English 'hēr,' which traces back through Germanic roots to the Proto-Indo-European 'ki-' (this, here). The same ancient root gave rise to the Latin 'cis' (on this side) and 'hic' (this), as well as the English 'he' and 'him.' The word has stayed close to its original meaning for over a thousand years — a remarkably stable word in the language.