iffen
Americanconjunction
Etymology
Origin of iffen
1930–35; if + -en, of uncertain origin, perhaps an 2 (hence a variant of archaic an if ) or in’ ( see -ing 2), extracted from conjunctional uses of considering, excepting, etc.; cf. gin 5
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.
Recall it to my mind iffen ever I forget, Philly.
From Time Magazine Archive
“The old folks say that iffen you eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s, it s’posed to make you rich for the new year,” Teenie said.
From "Copper Sun" by Sharon M. Draper
“Me and Branch can find our way out of anywheres. You be needing us for certain iffen you get lost.”
From "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry
“She gots water right here! You probably be thinking we gotta take these plants to the river! But right here, iffen I open this door, she gots water that squirts out!”
From "Gathering Blue" by Lois Lowry
“I ’preciates you doing it, sir, but how’s I s’pose to learn iffen I don’t know what you talking ’bout?”
From "The Journey of Little Charlie" by Christopher Paul Curtis
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.
