this
(used to indicate a person, thing, idea, state, event, time, remark, etc., as present, near, just mentioned or pointed out, supposed to be understood, or by way of emphasis): This is my coat.
(used to indicate one of two or more persons, things, etc., referring to the one nearer in place, time, or thought; opposed to that): This is Liza and that is Amy.
(used to indicate one of two or more persons, things, etc., implying a contrast or contradistinction; opposed tothat): I'd take that instead of this.
what is about to follow: Now hear this!Watch this!
(used to indicate a person, place, thing, or degree as present, near, just indicated or mentioned, or as well-known or characteristic): These people are my friends.This problem has worried me for a long time.
(used to indicate the nearer in time, place, or thought of two persons, things, etc.; opposed to that.)
(used to imply mere contradistinction; opposed to that.)
(used in place of an indefinite article for emphasis): I was walking down the street when I heard this explosion.
(used with adjectives and adverbs of quantity or extent) to the extent or degree indicated: this far;this softly.
Idioms about this
with this, following this; hereupon: With this, he threw down his glass and left the table.
Origin of this
1Words Nearby this
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use this in a sentence
But the two presenting together, as they did here at the 2008 Emmy Awards, is an out-of-this-world combination.
Golden Globes Hosts Tina Fey & Amy Poehler’s Funniest Moments (Video) | Kevin Fallon | January 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut on the relative plane, Zen is this-worldly and does not deny ethics, or ontology for that matter.
The Shocking Scandal at the Heart of American Zen | Jay Michaelson | November 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThe bogus cry of this-raises-serious-concerns was soon heard throughout the land.
The Politicization of the Boston Bombings Has Begun | Howard Kurtz | April 21, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTIf he thinks that he can get a deal he likes, I'd expect to see a c'mon-guys-we-can-do-this conciliatory exhortation.
What to Look for In Tonight's State of the Union | Megan McArdle | February 12, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTTrue, it can be fun to know that this-or-that athlete is Jewish.
Rodney is thoroughly and comfortably this-worldly; Michael is—other-worldly!
Jane Journeys On | Ruth Comfort MitchellWhat has made thy heart so sore as to come and cry a-this-ons?
Lizzie Leigh | Elizabeth GaskellFor marriage is like life in this-that it is a field of battle, and not a bed of roses.
The Pocket R.L.S. | Robert Louis StevensonWaal, we're ergwine ter nail up thet door ternight an' quit this-hyar place.
The Code of the Mountains | Charles Neville Buck"I reckon Newty's got a license ter dwell in this-hyar house," she belligerently asserted.
The Code of the Mountains | Charles Neville Buck
British Dictionary definitions for this
/ (ðɪs) /
used preceding a noun referring to something or someone that is closer: distinct from that: this dress is cheaper than that one; look at this picture
(as pronoun): this is Mary and that is her boyfriend; take this
used preceding a noun that has just been mentioned or is understood: this plan of yours won't work
(as pronoun): I first saw this on Sunday
used to refer to something about to be said, read, etc: consider this argument
(as pronoun): listen to this
the present or immediate: this time you'll know better
(as pronoun): before this, I was mistaken
this and that various unspecified and trivial actions, matters, objects, etc
this here US not standard an emphatic form of this (def. 1), this (def. 2), this (def. 3)
with this or at this after this; thereupon
used with adjectives and adverbs to specify a precise degree that is about to be mentioned: go just this fast and you'll be safe
Origin of this
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with this
In addition to the idioms beginning with this
- this and that
- this is where I came in
- this side of
also see:
- at this point
- at this rate
- at this stage
- from this day forward
- in this day and age
- out of this world
- shuffle off (this mortal coil)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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