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.
a supposition; uncertain possibility.
The future is full of ifs.
a condition, requirement, or stipulation.
There are too many ifs in his agreement.
in case that, or on condition that
if 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 though
an attractive if awkward girl
used to introduce expressions of desire, with only
if I had only known
used to introduce exclamations of surprise, dismay, etc
if this doesn't top everything!
as it would be if; as though
he treats me as if I were junior to him
an uncertainty or doubt
the big if is whether our plan will work at all
a condition or stipulation
I won't have any ifs or buts
If meaning “whether,” as in I haven't decided if I'll go, is sometimes criticized, but the usage is long established as standard.
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.
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”
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s what you put there because IF this thing works, that slice changes everything.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 23, 2025
Miguel Rojas, 37, IF, 1.9, 19.1: Should Rojas retire after helping the Dodgers to a second consecutive World Series, he’ll undoubtedly land a job as a coach or manager.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2025
IF Metall is not entirely alone in its fight.
From BBC • Oct. 26, 2025
He told a publicist who worked at Wayfarer, “We should have a plan for IF she does the same when movie comes out. Plans make me feel more at ease.”
From Salon • Dec. 23, 2024
Ill • He walked down the three flights of stairs, and rang the doorbell to 1 IF twice before using the keys to get in.
From "The Dead and the Gone" by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
