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if

¹

[ if ]

/ ɪf /

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See synonyms for if on Thesaurus.com

conjunction

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.

even though: an enthusiastic if small audience.

whether: He asked if I knew Spanish.

(used to introduce an exclamatory phrase): If only Dad could see me now!

when or whenever: If it was raining, we had to play inside.

noun

a supposition; uncertain possibility: The future is full of ifs.

a condition, requirement, or stipulation: There are too many ifs in his agreement.

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Idioms about if

ifs, ands, or buts, reservations, restrictions, or excuses: I want that job finished today, and no ifs, ands, or buts.

Origin of if

¹

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”

synonym study for if

1, 2. 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.

usage note for if

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

Words nearby if

-iensis, IEP, Ieper, -ier, Ieyasu, if, IFA, IFAD, IFALP, if anything, If at first you don't succeed, try, try again

Other definitions for if (2 of 2)

if²

or IF

Radio.

intermediate frequency.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use if in a sentence

It requires that likely answers be anticipated, that elaborate “if/then” scenarios be war-gamed.
David Frost and the Art of the Interview|David Frum|September 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
If they abused that power, it would be noticed-if not by the press, then by their colleagues, and if noticed, then punished.
Memo: The Aaron Sorkin Model of Political Discourse Doesn't Actually Work|Megan McArdle|April 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Seems like people in dangerous neighborhoods are braver and trust in God more than people in safer neighborhoods-if you ask me.
'Let's Talk About Guns' Live Chat Transcript|David Frum|January 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
That is, when things are going well, no one feels compelled to spend money on a what-if project.
What to Do With the Thousands Displaced by Hurricane Sandy?|Malcolm Jones|November 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Andrew hopes he sees in this division the seeds of a "return to sanity" if/after Romney loses.
Conservative Schism? Not Getting My Hopes Up|Michael Tomasky|September 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
If-itty-teshi-mow Jays Haddee ny up-plo-now-shi-buh nays;ha!
The Book of Humorous Verse|Various
It is a succession of short notes rapidly uttered, as if the bird said "if-if-if-if-if-if-if."
A Year in the Fields|John Burroughs
By all the gods!if he had only known Who held him between life and death upon the Mauvais Pas!
The Sorrows of Satan|Marie Corelli
Sir S. returned the nod stiffly, with an "I-wonder-if-I-really-do know-you,-or-if-this-is-a-trick-to-claim-acquaintance?"
The Heather-Moon|C. N. Williamson and A. M. Williamson
If so, I knew him now for a fiend in very truth!if burning horror and endless shame can so transfigure the soul of man!
The Sorrows of Satan|Marie Corelli

British Dictionary definitions for if (1 of 2)

if

/ (ɪf) /

conjunction (subordinating)

in case that, or on condition thatif you try hard it might work; if he were poor, would you marry him?

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

even thoughan attractive if awkward girl

used to introduce expressions of desire, with onlyif I had only known
used to introduce exclamations of surprise, dismay, etcif this doesn't top everything!

as if as it would be if; as thoughhe treats me as if I were junior to him

noun

an uncertainty or doubtthe big if is whether our plan will work at all

a condition or stipulationI won't have any ifs or buts

Word Origin for if

Old English gif; related to Old Saxon ef if, Old High German iba whether, if

British Dictionary definitions for if (2 of 2)

IF

i.f.

/ electronics /

abbreviation for

intermediate frequency

Collins 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 if

if

In addition to the idioms beginning with if

if anything
if at first you don't succeed, try, try again
if it ain't broke don't fix it
if only
if the mountain won't come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain
if the shoe fits, wear it
if wishes were horses
if worst comes to worst
if you can't beat 'em, join 'em
if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen

also see:

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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.