if
conjunction
in case that; granting or supposing that; on condition that.
if
1 American
[if]
/ ɪf /
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
-
ifs
plural
-
a supposition; uncertain possibility.
The future is full of ifs.
-
a condition, requirement, or stipulation.
There are too many ifs in his agreement.
idioms
if
2
American
Or
IF
Radio.
if
1
British
/ ɪf /
conjunction
-
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
noun
-
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
2
British
abbreviation
if
More Idioms
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.
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Affected former students, including those who are now adults, are eligible for 24 months of free identity-protection services and identity-restoration help if there is identity theft.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
Flavio is expected to continue his father's policies if he wins, though he has pledged to fight organised crime in the Amazon.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
And if this relationship-building is done well, when the inheritance inevitably leads to disagreement, at least the people sitting across the table won’t feel like strangers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
On the question of new contenders joining the race, Waltz said "countries, if they want to to put more candidates in, that's certainly within their sovereign rights."
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
“You know you can tell me anything—even if I get upset at first, I’m always going to calm down and be there for you. Both you and Arlo.”
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
It’s what you put there because IF this thing works, that slice changes everything.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 23, 2025
Luis Rengifo, 29, IF, 0.3, 6.6: Rengifo hits the open market after seven seasons with the Angels and could command a two-or three-year deal at about a $10 million AAV.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 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
John Krasinski’s animated family film IF and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes have also had weaker than expected opening weekends.
From BBC ● May 28, 2024
He didn’t even think about me until I stood in the middle of the living room and said, “CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!”
From "The World According to Humphrey" by Betty G. Birney
Hart said it hadn't "crossed my mind" to talk about the news with his former City team-mates because he "can't get involved in the ifs, buts and maybes".
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
The money is now yours, no ifs, ands, or buts.
From Salon ● Mar. 24, 2026
“You don’t look at the ifs, the what-could-be’s. You just come in, work, and take it a day at time. … Keep peaking week after week.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 6, 2026
Don’t look back with regret or what ifs.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 5, 2026
She didn’t wait for any ifs, ands, or buts from me.
From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
