in

[ in ]

/ ɪn /

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preposition

(used to indicate inclusion within space, a place, or limits): walking in the park.

(used to indicate inclusion within something abstract or immaterial): in politics; in the autumn.

(used to indicate inclusion within or occurrence during a period or limit of time): in ancient times; a task done in ten minutes.

(used to indicate limitation or qualification, as of situation, condition, relation, manner, action, etc.): to speak in a whisper; to be similar in appearance.

(used to indicate means): sketched in ink; spoken in French.

(used to indicate motion or direction from outside to a point within) into: Let's go in the house.

(used to indicate transition from one state to another): to break in half.

(used to indicate object or purpose): speaking in honor of the event.

adverb

in or into some place, position, state, relation, etc.: Please come in.

on the inside; within.

in one's house or office.

in office or power.

in possession or occupancy.

having the turn to play, as in a game.

Baseball. (of an infielder or outfielder) in a position closer to home plate than usual; short: The third baseman played in, expecting a bunt.

on good terms; in favor: He's in with his boss, but he doubts it will last.

Informal. in vogue; in style: He says straw hats will be in this year.

in season: Watermelons will soon be in.

adjective

located or situated within; inner; internal: the in part of a mechanism.

Informal.

in favor with stylish or trendy people; currently popular:the in place to dine; the in thing to do.
keeping up with the latest trends and fashions: the in clique at school.

Informal. comprehensible only to a special or ultrasophisticated group: an in joke.

well-liked; included in a favored group.

inward; incoming; inbound: an in train.

plentiful; available.

being in power, authority, control, etc.: a member of the in party.

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

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

a member of the political party in power: The election made him an in.

pull or influence; a social advantage or connection: He's got an in with the senator.

(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), inned, in·ning.British Dialect.

to enclose.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about in

be in for, to be bound to undergo something, especially a disagreeable experience: We are in for a long speech.

in for it, Slang. about to suffer chastisement or unpleasant consequences, especially of one's own actions or omissions: I forgot our anniversary again, and I'll be in for it now.Also British, for it.

in that, because; inasmuch as: In that you won't have time for supper, let me give you something now.

in with, on friendly terms with; familiar or associating with: They are in with all the important people.

Origin of in

First recorded before 900; 1925–30 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

Other definitions for in (2 of 10)

Symbol, Chemistry.

indium.

Other definitions for in (3 of 10)

abbreviation

Indiana (approved especially for use with zip code).

Other definitions for in (4 of 10)

in-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-², such as en-¹, em-¹, im-³.

Origin of in-

Middle English, Old English; see in

Other definitions for in (5 of 10)

in-²

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

Also il-, im-, ir-.

Compare em-¹, en-¹.

Origin of in-

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

Other definitions for in (6 of 10)

in-³

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-² (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).

Also il-, im-, ir-.

Origin of in-

<Latin; akin to an-¹, a-⁶, un-¹

synonym study for in-

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 definitions for in (7 of 10)

-in¹

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.).

Origin of -in

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

Other definitions for in (8 of 10)

-in²

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.

Origin of -in

<New Latin -ina.See -ine²

Other definitions for in (9 of 10)

-in³

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).

Other definitions for in (10 of 10)

in.

abbreviation

inch; inches.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use in in a sentence

This is a guy who has his son-in-law clean his eyeglasses, for crying out loud.
Will Chris Christie Regret His Cowboy Hug?|Matt Lewis|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Her travel clique has been known to arrive at an airport, bags packed, passport-in-hand, within hours of spotting a deal.
‘We Out Here’: Inside the New Black Travel Movement|Charlise Ferguson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Earl Spencer adds, “Effectively, my great-grandfather sold his children to his father-in-law.”
The Real-Life ‘Downton’ Millionairesses Who Changed Britain|Tim Teeman|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The lack of a gun is not likely to be a major problem for close-in air-to-air dogfights against other jets.
New U.S. Stealth Jet Can’t Fire Its Gun Until 2019|Dave Majumdar|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But those weapons are of limited utility, especially during close-in fights.
New U.S. Stealth Jet Can’t Fire Its Gun Until 2019|Dave Majumdar|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Such throats are trying, are they not?In case one catches cold; Ah, yes!
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various
The commander-in-chief still kept him attached to the headquarter staff, and constantly employed him on special service.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
So far Murat had always held subordinate commands; his great ambition was to become the commander-in-chief of an independent army.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
Their jurisdictions overlapped and the Gascon would play second fiddle to no one save to his great brother-in-law.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
But the novel disappeared under the clothes with amazing celerity as the voice of her sister-in-law demanded admission.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

British Dictionary definitions for in (1 of 8)

in¹

/ (ɪn) /

preposition

inside; withinno smoking in the auditorium

at a place where there islying in the shade; walking in the rain

indicating a state, situation, or conditionin a deep sleep; standing in silence

before or when (a period of time) has elapsedcome back in one year

using (a language, etc) as a means of communicationwritten in code

concerned or involved with, esp as an occupationin journalism

expressing a ratio, proportion, or probabilityone in five boys

while or by performing the action of; as a consequence of or by means ofin crossing the street he was run over

used to indicate goal or purposein honour of the president

(used of certain animals) about to give birth to; pregnant with (specified offspring)in foal; in calf

a variant of into she fell in the water; he tore the paper in two

have it in one (often foll by an infinitive) to have the ability (to do something)

in it Australian informal joining in; taking part

in that or in so far as (conjunction) because or to the extent that; inasmuch asI regret my remark in that it upset you

nothing in it no difference or interval between two things

adverb (particle)

in or into a particular place; inward or indoorscome in; bring him in

so as to achieve office, power, or authoritythe Conservatives got in at the last election

so as to encloseblock in; cover in a hole

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

British (of a fire) alightdo you keep the fire in all night?

(in combination) indicating an activity or gathering, esp one organized to protest against somethingteach-in; work-in

in at present at (the beginning, end, etc)

in between between

in for about to be affected by (something, esp something unpleasant)you're in for a shock

in on acquainted with or sharing inI was in on all his plans

in with associated with; friendly with; regarded highly by

have it in for or have got it in for informal to wish or intend harm towards

adjective

(stressed) fashionable; modishthe in thing to do

NZ competingyou've got to be in to win

noun

ins and outs intricacies or complications; detailsthe ins and outs of a computer system

Word Origin for in

Old English; compare Old High German in, Welsh yn, Old Norse ī, Latin in, Greek en

British Dictionary definitions for in (2 of 8)

in²

the internet domain name for

India

British Dictionary definitions for in (3 of 8)

the chemical symbol for

indium

British Dictionary definitions for in (4 of 8)

abbreviation for

Indiana

British Dictionary definitions for in (5 of 8)

in-¹

il-, im- or ir-

prefix

not; non-incredible; insincere; illegal; imperfect; irregular Compare un- 1

Word Origin for in-

from Latin in-; related to ne-, nōn not

British Dictionary definitions for in (6 of 8)

in-²

il-, im- or ir-

prefix

in; into; towards; within; oninfiltrate; immigrate

having an intensive or causative functioninflame; imperil

Word Origin for in-

from in (prep, adv)

British Dictionary definitions for in (7 of 8)

-in

suffix forming nouns

indicating a neutral organic compound, including proteins, glucosides, and glyceridesinsulin; digitoxin; tripalmitin

indicating an enzyme in certain nonsystematic namespepsin

indicating a pharmaceutical substancepenicillin; riboflavin; aspirin

indicating a chemical substance in certain nonsystematic namescoumarin

Word Origin for -in

from New Latin -ina; compare -ine ²

British Dictionary definitions for in (8 of 8)

in.

abbreviation for

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

Scientific definitions for in (1 of 2)

The symbol for indium.

Scientific definitions for in (2 of 2)

in.

Abbreviation of inch

Other Idioms and Phrases with in

In addition to the idioms beginning with in, also see under out of

in a bad light
in a bad mood
in a bad way
in a big way
in a bind
in a breeze
in absentia
in a cold sweat
in addition
in a dither
in advance
in a fix
in a flash
in a flutter
in a fog
in a good light
in a hole
in a huff
in a jam
in a lather
in all
in all one's born days
in all probability
in a manner of speaking
in and of itself
in a nutshell
in any case
in a pig's eye
in a pinch
in arms
in arrears
in a rut
in a sense
in a snit
in a state
in a stew
in a tight corner
in a tizzy
in at the death
in a walk
in a way
in awe of, be
in a while
in a word
in a world of one's own
in back of
in bad
in bad faith
in bad with, be
in behalf of
in between
in between times
in black and white
in brief
in bulk
in cahoots
in care of
in case
in cement
in character
in charge
in check
in chorus
in circles
in circulation
in clover
in cold blood
in cold storage
in commission
in common
in concert
in condition
in confidence
in conscience
in consequence
in consideration of
in creation
in deep
in default of
in defiance of
in demand
in depth
in detail
in dispute
in drag
in due course
in Dutch
in earnest
in effect
in effigy
in escrow
in essence
in evidence
in excess of
in exchange
in fact
in fashion
in favor of
in favor with
in fine feather
in for
in for a penny, in for a pound
in force
in front of
in full
in full swing
in general
in good condition
in good faith
in good hands
in good part
in good spirits
in good stead
in good time
in good with, be
in half
in hand
in harness
in heat
in high dudgeon
in honor of
in hopes of
in itself
in keeping with
in key
in kind
in large measure
in league with
in left field
in lieu of
in light of
in limbo
in line
in love
in luck
in memory of
in mind
in name only
in no case
in nothing flat
in no time
in no uncertain terms
in on, be
in one blow
in one breath
in one ear and out the other
in one fell swoop
in one piece
in one's
in one's behalf
in one's blood
in one's book
in one's cups
in one's element
in one's eyes
in one's favor
in one's glory
in one's hands
in one's heart of hearts
in one's interest
in one's mind's eye
in one's name
in one's own backyard
in one's own right
in one's own world
in one's pocket
in one's prime
in one's right mind
in one's shell
in one's tracks
in one stroke
in one's way
in orbit
in order
in other words
in over one's head
in part
in particular
in passing
in perpetuity
in person
in phase
in place
in place of
in plain English
in play
in pocket
in point
in practice
in principle
in print
in private
in progress
in proportion
in public
in question
in quest of
in reach
in reality
in reason
in reference to
in regard to
in relation to
in reserve
in residence
in respect to
in retrospect
in return
in round numbers
ins and outs
in search of
in season
in secret
in seventh heaven
in shape
in short
in short order
in short supply
inside of
inside out
inside track, the
in sight
in single file
in so many words
in some measure
in someone's
in someone's bad graces
in someone's face
in someone's good graces
in someone's hair
in someone's shoes
in someone's stead
in spades
in specie
in spite of
in state
in step
in stitches
in stock
in store
in stride
in style
in substance
in terms of
in that
in that case
in the act
in the aggregate
in the air
in the air
in the altogether
in the back
in the bag
in the balance
in the ballpark
in the bargain
in the black
in the blood
in the bud
in the buff
in the can
in the cards
in the care of
in the case of
in the chips
in the circumstances
in the clear
in the clouds
in the cold light of day
in the course of
in the dark
in the dock
in the doghouse
in the doldrums
in the driver's seat
in the dumps
in the dust, leave someone
in the end
in the event of
in the eye
in the eye of
in the face
in the face of
in the family way
in the final analysis
in the first place
in the flesh
in the flush of
in the fullness of time
in the groove
in the gutter
in the hands of
in the heat of
in the hole
in the hope
in the hot seat
in the interest of
in the interim
in the know
in the lap of luxury
in the least
in the limelight
in the long run
in the loop
in the lurch
in the main
in the making
in the market for
in the middle of
in the midst
in the money
in the mood
in the mouth
in the name of
in the near future
in the neck
in the neighborhood of
in the nick of time
in the offing
in the picture, be
in the pink
in the pipeline
in the public eye
in the raw
in the red
in there pitching
in the right, be
in the rough
in the round
in the running
in the saddle
in the same boat
in the same breath
in the same league
in the same mold
in the second place
in the short run
in the soup
in the street
in the swim
in the teeth of
in the throes
in the twinkling of an eye
in the unlikely event
in the wake of
in the way
in the wind
in the wings
in the works
in the world
in the worst way
in the wrong
in thing, the
in this day and age
in time
in time
in token of
in touch, be
in tow
in trouble with
in trust
in tune
in turn
in two shakes
in unison
in up to
in vain
in view
in view of
in wait
in waiting
in with, be
in your face

in

Idioms about in

Origin of in

Other definitions for in (2 of 10)

Other definitions for in (3 of 10)

Other definitions for in (4 of 10)

Origin of in-

Other definitions for in (5 of 10)

Origin of in-

Other definitions for in (6 of 10)

Origin of in-

synonym study for in-

Other definitions for in (7 of 10)

Origin of -in

Other definitions for in (8 of 10)

Origin of -in

Other definitions for in (9 of 10)

Other definitions for in (10 of 10)

Words related to in

How to use in in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for in (1 of 8)

Word Origin for in

British Dictionary definitions for in (2 of 8)

British Dictionary definitions for in (3 of 8)

British Dictionary definitions for in (4 of 8)

British Dictionary definitions for in (5 of 8)

il-, im- or ir-

Word Origin for in-

British Dictionary definitions for in (6 of 8)

il-, im- or ir-

Word Origin for in-

British Dictionary definitions for in (7 of 8)

Word Origin for -in

British Dictionary definitions for in (8 of 8)

Scientific definitions for in (1 of 2)

Scientific definitions for in (2 of 2)

Other Idioms and Phrases with in