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Definition of had-been in English:

had-been

Pronunciation /ˈhadbiːn/

noun

  • A person whose best days are over; a has-been.

    Chiefly used in narratives or reported speech using the past tense.

Origin

Mid 18th century; earliest use found in Samuel Richardson (bap. 1689, d. 1761), printer and author. From had, past tense of have + been, past participle of be.