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
“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
“Some things I took before the burning, for you to have iffen they let you stay.”
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
“Stew Cat b’go up d’palm on dlee side iffen it b’gettin too terrible. Don* worry ’bout Stew Cat” Yet I could not help worrying.
From "The Cay" by Theodore Taylor
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.
