What's the past tense of "win"?
The simple past tense of win is won, and the past participle is also won. Use won for both simple past and past participle forms.
✓
Our team won the championship last year.
✓
She has won three awards this season.
Verb forms of 'win'
The verb win, as described by Oxford Dictionary: "To be the most successful in a competition, race, battle, etc.: she won the race." Also, "To get something as a prize for being successful: he won first prize."
Present:
I/you/they win • He/she/it wins
Past:
I/you/he/she/it/they won
Future:
I/you/he/she/it/they will win
Present:
I am winning • You/they are winning • He/she/it is winning
Past:
I/he/she/it was winning • You/they were winning
Future:
I/you/he/she/it/they will be winning
Present:
I/you/they have won • He/she/it has won
Past:
I/you/he/she/it/they had won
Future:
I/you/he/she/it/they will have won
Present:
I/you/he/she/it/they would win
Past:
I/you/he/she/it/they would have won
Sentence examples: win, won, won
Present tense examples
- I win most of my tennis matches.
- She wins every competition she enters.
- They win the lottery every week.
- The team wins consistently.
Past tense examples
- He won the championship last year.
- I won the race by a narrow margin.
- She won the scholarship to Harvard.
- We won the game in overtime.
Past participle examples
- She has won three awards this season.
- I have won every argument with my brother.
- They had won the contract before we submitted our bid.
- He has won the respect of his colleagues.
Phrases/idioms with "win"
in it to win it
Fully committed to achieving success or victory.
the house always wins
The establishment or system has an inherent advantage.
you win some, you lose some
Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you fail - that's life.
slow and steady wins the race
Consistent, persistent effort leads to success.
to win by a landslide
To win by a very large margin or overwhelming majority.
Synonyms for "win"
Synonyms: triumph, succeed, prevail, conquer, defeat, beat, overcome, achieve, earn, secure
FAQs
What type of verb is "win"?
"Win" is an irregular verb with only two forms: "win" (present) and "won" (past and past participle).
When do I use "win" vs "won"?
Use "win" for present tense ("I win") and "won" for both past tense ("I won") and past participle ("I have won").
Is "winned" correct?
No, "winned" is not correct. The past tense of "win" is "won," not "winned."
Sources
-
"Win, V." Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, March 2025.
.webp&w=3840&q=75)
