if

¹ American  

[if] / ɪf /

conjunction

1. in case that; granting or supposing that; on condition that.

   Sing if you want to. Stay indoors if it rains. I'll go if you do.

2. even though.

   an enthusiastic if small audience.

3. whether.

   He asked if I knew Spanish.

4. (used to introduce an exclamatory phrase).

   If only Dad could see me now!

5. when or whenever.

   If it was raining, we had to play inside.

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noun

1. a supposition; uncertain possibility.

   The future is full of ifs.

2. a condition, requirement, or stipulation.

   There are too many ifs in his agreement.

idioms

1. ifs, ands, or buts, reservations, restrictions, or excuses.

   I want that job finished today, and no ifs, ands, or buts.

if ² American  

Or IF

Radio.

1. intermediate frequency.

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if ¹ British  

/ ɪf /

conjunction

1. in case that, or on condition that

   if you try hard it might work

   if he were poor, would you marry him?

2. used to introduce an indirect question. In this sense, if approaches the meaning of whether

3. even though

   an attractive if awkward girl

4. 1. used to introduce expressions of desire, with only

      if I had only known

   2. used to introduce exclamations of surprise, dismay, etc

      if this doesn't top everything!

5. as it would be if; as though

   he treats me as if I were junior to him

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noun

1. an uncertainty or doubt

   the big if is whether our plan will work at all

2. a condition or stipulation

   I won't have any ifs or buts

IF ² British  

abbreviation

1. intermediate frequency

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if More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing if

• (if) push comes to shove
• as if
• damned if I do, damned if I don't
• make as if to
• no ifs or buts
• nothing if not
• what if

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Usage

If meaning “whether,” as in I haven't decided if I'll go, is sometimes criticized, but the usage is long established as standard.

Related Words

If, provided, providing imply a condition on which something depends. If is general. It may be used to indicate suppositions or hypothetical conditions (often involving doubt or uncertainty): If you like, we can go straight home. If I had known, I wouldn't have gone. If may mean even though: If I am wrong, you are not right. It may mean whenever: If I do not understand, I ask questions. Provided always indicates some stipulation: I will subscribe ten dollars provided ( on the condition ) that you do, too. Provided he goes, we can go along. Providing means the same as provided, that is, just in case some certain thing should happen: We will buy the house, providing ( provided ) we can get a mortgage.

Etymology

Origin of if

First recorded before 900; Middle English, variant of yif, Old English gif, gef; akin to Old Norse ef “if,” Gothic ibai “whether,” Old High German iba “condition, stipulation”

Example Sentences

"If they want a life with minimal human contact, then that's what they'll have."

From BBC

"With the look of the wolf - as we've seen with the Preston three - if you get one wandering, you get mass hysteria."

From BBC

"Being up close, face-to-face with other people indoors where the air isn't moving much seems to be the most risky thing -- and it's something we all tend to do a lot. Our results suggest that portable air purifiers that stir up the air as well as clean it could be a big help. But if you are really close and someone is coughing, the best way to stay safe is to wear a mask, especially the N95," said Milton.

From Science Daily

If the council was to become responsible for this, Nethsingha says it would leave the authority "in section 114 territory", where councils effectively declare themselves bankrupt.

From BBC

"That would be true for about 100 councils across the country, if that statutory override was suddenly taken away," she says.

From BBC