Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Jump To:
  • in
    in
    preposition
    (used to indicate inclusion within space, a place, or limits).
  • In
    In
    indium.
  • IN
    IN
    abbreviation
    Indiana (approved especially for use with zip code).
  • in-
    in-
    a prefix representing English in (income; indwelling; inland , etc.), but used also as a verb-formative with transitive, intensive, or sometimes little apparent force (intrust; inweave , etc.). It often assumes the same forms as in-, such as en-, em-, im-.
  • -in
    -in
    a suffix, occurring in adjectives of Greek and Latin origin, meaning “pertaining to,” and (in nouns thence derived) also imitated in English (coffin; cousin , etc.).
  • in.
    in.
    abbreviation
    inch; inches.
Synonyms

in

1 American  
[in] / ɪn /

preposition

  1. (used to indicate inclusion within space, a place, or limits).

    walking in the park.

  2. (used to indicate inclusion within something abstract or immaterial).

    in politics; in the autumn.

  3. (used to indicate inclusion within or occurrence during a period or limit of time).

    in ancient times; a task done in ten minutes.

  4. (used to indicate limitation or qualification, as of situation, condition, relation, manner, action, etc.).

    to speak in a whisper; to be similar in appearance.

  5. (used to indicate means).

    sketched in ink; spoken in French.

  6. (used to indicate motion or direction from outside to a point within) into.

    Let's go in the house.

  7. (used to indicate transition from one state to another).

    to break in half.

  8. (used to indicate object or purpose).

    speaking in honor of the event.


adverb

  1. in or into some place, position, state, relation, etc..

    Please come in.

  2. on the inside; within.

  3. in one's house or office.

  4. in office or power.

  5. in possession or occupancy.

  6. having the turn to play, as in a game.

  7. Baseball. (of an infielder or outfielder) in a position closer to home plate than usual; short.

    The third baseman played in, expecting a bunt.

  8. on good terms; in favor.

    He's in with his boss, but he doubts it will last.

  9. Informal. in vogue; in style.

    He says straw hats will be in this year.

  10. in season.

    Watermelons will soon be in.

adjective

  1. located or situated within; inner; internal.

    the in part of a mechanism.

  2. Informal.

    1. in favor with stylish or trendy people; currently popular: the in thing to do.

      the in place to dine;

      the in thing to do.

    2. keeping up with the latest trends and fashions.

      the in clique at school.

  3. Informal. comprehensible only to a special or ultrasophisticated group.

    an in joke.

  4. well-liked; included in a favored group.

  5. inward; incoming; inbound.

    an in train.

  6. plentiful; available.

  7. being in power, authority, control, etc..

    a member of the in party.

  8. Golf. of or relating to the playing of the last nine holes of an eighteen-hole golf course (opposed to out).

    His in score on the second round was 34.

noun

  • ins
    plural
  1. Usually ins persons in office or political power (distinguished from outs).

  2. a member of the political party in power.

    The election made him an in.

  3. pull or influence; a social advantage or connection.

    He's got an in with the senator.

  4. (in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) a return or service that lands within the in-bounds limits of a court or section of a court (opposed to out).

verb (used with object)

British Dialect.
inned, inning
  1. to enclose.

idioms

  1. be in for, to be bound to undergo something, especially a disagreeable experience.

    We are in for a long speech.

  2. in for it, about to suffer chastisement or unpleasant consequences, especially of one's own actions or omissions: Also for it.

    I forgot our anniversary again, and I'll be in for it now.

  3. in with, on friendly terms with; familiar or associating with.

    They are in with all the important people.

  4. in that, because; inasmuch as.

    In that you won't have time for supper, let me give you something now.

In 2 American  
Symbol, Chemistry.
  1. indium.


IN 3 American  

abbreviation

  1. Indiana (approved especially for use with zip code).


in- 4 American  
  1. a prefix representing English in (income; indwelling; inland , etc.), but used also as a verb-formative with transitive, intensive, or sometimes little apparent force (intrust; inweave , etc.). It often assumes the same forms as in-, such as en-, em-, im-.


in- 5 American  
  1. a prefix of Latin origin meaning primarily “in,” but used also as a verb-formative with the same force as in- (incarcerate; incantation ).


in- 6 American  
  1. a prefix of Latin origin, corresponding to English un-, having a negative or privative force, freely used as an English formative, especially of adjectives and their derivatives and of nouns (inattention; indefensible; inexpensive; inorganic; invariable ). It assumes the same phonetic phases as in- (impartial; immeasurable; illiterate; irregular , etc.). In French, it became en- and thus occurs unfelt in such words as enemy (French ennemi, Latin inimicus, lit., not friendly).


-in 7 American  
  1. a suffix, occurring in adjectives of Greek and Latin origin, meaning “pertaining to,” and (in nouns thence derived) also imitated in English (coffin; cousin , etc.).


-in 8 American  
  1. a noun suffix used in a special manner in chemical and mineralogical nomenclature (glycerin; acetin , etc.). In spelling, usage wavers between -in and -ine. In chemistry a certain distinction of use is attempted, basic substances having the termination -ine rather than -in (aconitine; aniline , etc.), and -in being restricted to certain neutral compounds, glycerides, glucosides, and proteids (albumin; palmitin , etc.), but this distinction is not always observed.


-in 9 American  
  1. a suffixal use of the adverb in, extracted from sit-in, forming compound nouns, usually from verbs, referring to organized protests through or in support of the named activity (kneel-in; chain-in;be-in ) or, more generally, to any organized social or cultural activity (cook-in;sing-in ).


in. 10 American  

abbreviation

  1. inch; inches.


in 1 British  

abbreviation

  1. India

"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

in. 2 British  

abbreviation

  1. inch(es)

"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

in- 3 British  

prefix

  1. in; into; towards; within; on

    infiltrate

    immigrate

  2. having an intensive or causative function

    inflame

    imperil

"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

IN 4 British  

abbreviation

  1. Indiana

"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

in- 5 British  

prefix

  1. not; non- Compare un- 1

    incredible

    insincere

    illegal

    imperfect

    irregular

"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

-in 6 British  

suffix

  1. indicating a neutral organic compound, including proteins, glucosides, and glycerides

    insulin

    digitoxin

    tripalmitin

  2. indicating an enzyme in certain nonsystematic names

    pepsin

  3. indicating a pharmaceutical substance

    penicillin

    riboflavin

    aspirin

  4. indicating a chemical substance in certain nonsystematic names

    coumarin

"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

In 7 British  

symbol

  1. indium

"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

in 8 British  
/ ɪn /

preposition

  1. inside; within

    no smoking in the auditorium

  2. at a place where there is

    lying in the shade

    walking in the rain

  3. indicating a state, situation, or condition

    in a deep sleep

    standing in silence

  4. before or when (a period of time) has elapsed

    come back in one year

  5. using (a language, etc) as a means of communication

    written in code

  6. concerned or involved with, esp as an occupation

    in journalism

  7. expressing a ratio, proportion, or probability

    one in five boys

  8. while or by performing the action of; as a consequence of or by means of

    in crossing the street he was run over

  9. used to indicate goal or purpose

    in honour of the president

  10. (used of certain animals) about to give birth to; pregnant with (specified offspring)

    in foal

    in calf

  11. a variant of into

    she fell in the water

    he tore the paper in two

  12. (often foll by an infinitive) to have the ability (to do something)

  13. informal joining in; taking part

  14. (conjunction) because or to the extent that; inasmuch as

    I regret my remark in that it upset you

  15. no difference or interval between two things

"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

adverb

  1. in or into a particular place; inward or indoors

    come in

    bring him in

  2. so as to achieve office, power, or authority

    the Conservatives got in at the last election

  3. so as to enclose

    block in

    cover in a hole

  4. (in certain games) so as to take one's turn or one's team's turn at a certain aspect of the play; taking one's innings

    you have to get the other side out before you go in

  5. (of a fire) alight

    do you keep the fire in all night?

  6. (in combination) indicating an activity or gathering, esp one organized to protest against something

    teach-in

    work-in

  7. present at (the beginning, end, etc)

  8. between

  9. about to be affected by (something, esp something unpleasant)

    you're in for a shock

  10. acquainted with or sharing in

    I was in on all his plans

  11. associated with; friendly with; regarded highly by

  12. informal to wish or intend harm towards

"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

adjective

  1. (stressed) fashionable; modish

    the in thing to do

  2. competing

    you've got to be in to win

"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

noun

  1. intricacies or complications; details

    the ins and outs of a computer system

"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
in. Scientific  
  1. Abbreviation of inch


in More Idioms  
  1. In addition to the idioms beginning with in, also see under out of.


Synonym Usage

The prefixes in- and un- may both have, among other uses, a negative force. In- is the form derived from Latin, and is therefore used in learned words or in words derived from Latin or (rarely) Greek: inaccessible, inaccuracy, inadequate, etc. Un- is the native form going back to Old English, used in words of native origin, and sometimes used in combination with words of other origins if these words are in common use: unloving, ungodly, unfeeling, unnecessary, unsafe.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of in1

First recorded before 900; 1925–30 in for def. 29; Middle English, Old English; cognate with German, Dutch, Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Gothic in, Old Norse ī, Latin in, Greek en, Lithuanian į

Origin of in-4

Middle English, Old English; see in

Origin of in-5

From Latin, combining form of in (preposition); cognate with in

Origin of in-6

< Latin; akin to an- 1, a- 6, un- 1

Origin of -in7

Middle English -in, -ine < Old French < Latin -inus, -ina, -inum < Greek -inos, -inē, -inon

Origin of -in8

< New Latin -ina. See -ine 2

Explanation

When one thing is in another, it is surrounded by or within it, the way chocolate chips are in a bowl of cookie batter. In is a word with many different uses. A child can be in a sandbox, and a teenager can be in love. You can sit in your car, or say to a friend, "See you in an hour!" An actor might be in a film, while your dad tells people he's in publishing, and both live in New York City. If your clothes are in, they're stylish, and if you're locked in your room, you're confined inside it.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing in

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:

“But in the deep interior you do have habitable conditions.”

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 22, 2026

Zuckerberg spent more than $110 million buying up at least 11 homes in the affluent neighborhood of Crescent Park in Palo Alto, irking some of his neighbors, the New York Times reported.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 22, 2026

Zuckerberg previously bought property in Hawaii and paid $23 million in cash for a 15,000-square-foot mansion in Washington D.C.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 22, 2026

LAUREL, Md. — Ralph Lorenz dreamed up the idea of flying a helicopter through Titan’s thick methane-laden atmosphere back in 2000 in a speculative research paper and a cover story for New Scientist magazine.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 22, 2026

After reading about Joey’s bravery during the war and her arrival in the US, he’s inspired to start a fund drive called Joey’s International Leprosy Fund.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

In 2022, he sold his San Francisco home for $31 million.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 22, 2026

In smaller states with fewer media markets, ad rates can rise quickly, especially when there are competitive governor and House races also competing for airtime.

From Salon Aug. 22, 2026

In the parking lot, you remembered the question you meant to ask.

From Slate Aug. 22, 2026

In the last 20 years, the highest number of incidents was related to battery packs, with 84 cases related to laptops.

From BBC Aug. 22, 2026

In 1936—the same year Joey gives birth to a daughter named Cynthia—Shingo tours the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

We're talking about locking IN - the phrase you might have seen on social media or heard people saying lately.

From BBC Nov. 29, 2025

It also involved Teresa Femenía, a researcher at IN CSIC-UMH, who played a key role in developing the experimental work.

From Science Daily Nov. 8, 2025

IN 1963, Spike Lee was one member of the “first Black family in Cobble Hill.”

From The Wall Street Journal Oct. 20, 2025

Stellantis and South Korea's Samsung SDI Co Ltd said on Wednesday they will build a second electric vehicle battery plant in Kokomo, IN, the hometown of United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain.

From Reuters Oct. 11, 2023

And as he passed every other occupied hospital cell the man inside stood next to his bed and yelled, "IN!"

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos

Not that they''re a shoo in- there's a lot of resentment against Mr Sharif and his party, who are blamed for Pakistan's economic misery.

From BBC Feb. 1, 2024

Johanna Mayer: Yeah, he was 55, so they were sort of in- in their prime of their careers and their relationship.

From Scientific American Sep. 21, 2023

But Riley often takes mesh to another level by adding more in- or out-breaking routes at different depths.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 28, 2022

Men stepped in- to windows, and women, listening.

From New York Times Sep. 26, 2021

So after India, I was soon off to Tokyo, where I had a chance to in- terview Kenichi Ohmae, the legendary former McKinsey & Company consultant in Japan.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman

She said testing was not available on the NHS so went to a private trichologist - a hair and scalp specialist -in Ipswich who was "thrilled as it was the first case he'd seen".

From BBC Mar. 3, 2024

"Little or no sustained growth can be expected until fiscal, debt, and -in some cases- inflation problems are addressed" by the three, the report concludes.

From Reuters Sep. 7, 2023

Corbyn, -in his speech, said the referendum held a deep symbolism for voters on both sides, which went far beyond a relationship with Europe.

From The Guardian Jan. 10, 2019

It begins with a goal or objective -in this case, protecting the environment, or more specifically, drinking water.

From New York Times Dec. 22, 2017

WESTERN, Lord, change effected by, in pigs. -in the sheep.

From The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication — Volume 2 by Charles Darwin

“I’m sorry for every moment I didn’t reach out or check in. This can’t be real.”

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 17, 2026

"She slips! She slips! Coco Gauff hangs in. What an absolute rollercoaster," Cavaday exclaimed.

From BBC Jul. 9, 2026

“They didn’t necessarily look at how many hours I put in. They were just looking at whether I was producing.”

From MarketWatch Jul. 7, 2026

"We shopkeepers are in a very difficult situation. Customers can no longer come in. We're forced to close for a week," he complained.

From Barron's Jul. 4, 2026

“I knew I shouldn’t have let you in. I should never...”

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

I’ve also heard from various people telling me their whole financial picture, down to the pennies in their accounts, and the ins and outs of their divorces, estate fights and bad relationships with financial professionals.

From MarketWatch Jul. 22, 2026

“If you don’t know the ins and outs and nuts and bolts inside City Hall, how are you going to be mayor?” he said.

From Los Angeles Times May 1, 2026

"I don't know the ins and outs of it, or how realistic it is, but it would mean a lot to me."

From BBC Apr. 18, 2026

My early reflexes came from watching games on TV with my parents and learning the ins and outs from my dad.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 24, 2026

I han’t seen a way to get you safe, and I’ve looked arter you to know your ins and outs.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

They are likewise to carry home corn, which is not inned till August and September.

From A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II. by Charles Morton

In 1622 Sir Henry Appleton, the owner of the marsh, agreed to give one-third of it to Joas Croppenburg, a Dutchman skilled in the making of dikes, if he "inned" the marsh.

From The Naturalist on the Thames by C. J. (Charles John) Cornish

The last landed, inned, or stowed, of any sort of merchandise: so called by the water-side porters, carmen, &c.

From 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose

During the Dodgers’ 11-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night, Díaz pitched the ninth inning and gave up three runs and four hits.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 18, 2026

Getting back on track, Snell navigated around a pair of singles in the fourth inning, before retiring the Rockies in order in the fifth and sixth.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 18, 2026

In the next inning, Milwaukee’s Jake Bauers hit a go-ahead single to right off Skubal, scoring Jackson Chourio from second after his double.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 16, 2026

The Dodgers scored their only run on an Ohtani triple to right that scored Call from first in the third inning.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 16, 2026

By the end of the second inning, the score was Jupiters 4, Bandits 2.

From "The Missing Mitt (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #2)" by Franklin W. Dixon

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training