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• 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.

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.

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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.

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IN ³ American  

abbreviation

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

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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-.

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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 ).

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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).

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-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.).

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-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.

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-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 ).

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in. ¹⁰ American  

abbreviation

1. inch; inches.

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in ¹ 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

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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

adjective

1. (stressed) fashionable; modish

   the in thing to do

2. competing

   you've got to be in to win

noun

1. intricacies or complications; details

   the ins and outs of a computer system

in. ² British  

abbreviation

1. inch(es)

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in- ³ British  

prefix

1. in; into; towards; within; on

   infiltrate

   immigrate

2. having an intensive or causative function

   inflame

   imperil

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in ⁴ British  

abbreviation

1. India

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In ⁵ British  

symbol

1. indium

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IN ⁶ British  

abbreviation

1. Indiana

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in- ⁷ British  

prefix

1. not; non- Compare un- 1

   incredible

   insincere

   illegal

   imperfect

   irregular

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-in ⁸ 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

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in. Scientific  

1. Abbreviation of inch

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in More Idioms  

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

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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

• ins
  plural

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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

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in In IN in- -in in. ins inned inning

While opinion surveys continue to show Ukrainians’ unwillingness to give in to Russian demands ahead of a difficult winter, attacks and losses take their toll.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

Still, the decision also comes as house prices fall at their fastest pace in more than 40 years, something that is likely to curb consumer confidence and slow spending.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

The increase makes the RBA an outlier as other major central banks have chosen to pause in recent weeks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

“They released me into society completely unprepared. I didn’t understand my body properly and ended up in an accident,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

Doody donates some of the money from the fund to leprosariums in the Philippines, all in Joey Guerrero’s name.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

In a spring survey of 133 lawyers at Cordell & Cordell, a national family-law firm, 80% said clients had sent them correspondence, draft pleadings or strategy suggestions they believed were generated with AI.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

In certain cases, splitting could even become thermodynamically favorable, especially when one of the two resulting black holes is much smaller than the other.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 3, 2026

In his closing midterms speech, Trump barely mentioned policy and instead talked about his renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and other plans to beautify Washington.

From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026

In four years, she noticed that the uncertainty and patriotic fervor gave way to exhaustion on both ends of the phone.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

In the fireplace, a log breaks, sparks fly.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

IN JUNE, Aspen’s City Council members gathered for a presentation from the mountain town’s largest employer about the state of its business—and future of the place itself.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

IN 2021, shortly after Amodei and others exited OpenAI in part over safety concerns and started a new company called Anthropic, Tallinn agreed to lead a $124 million Series A investment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

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

The study will be published the morning of Dec. 5 in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology -- IN PRACTICE.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 5, 2024

IT WAS IN late November that year that a common cold made a big difference.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

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

"For this night ...” Haider trotted in- from the left. ". . . and all the nights to come,” finished Pyp.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

"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

There will be a two-week winter break beginning on 22 December, during much of which players will be away from training -in contrast to England, where games are being played every few days.

From BBC ● Dec. 17, 2021

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

Having realized this Don Mario became a fervent Liberal -in the original and true meaning of the word- leading an incipient yet long-term promising change in Latin American political ideology.

From New York Times ● Feb. 20, 2018

TESSIER, on the period of gestation of the dog. -of the pig. -in cattle. -experiments on change of soil.

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

“Auditions weren’t coming in. It was just a really lean, lean time,” Jackson said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

“Our world is unfortunately not so different from the world the nuns of Loudon were living in. I have never seen a film like this before. I don’t think I ever will again. ‘

From Salon ● Oct. 22, 2026

"Everybody's been coming in. They might light a candle for him, pray for him at Mass," he said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026

“The gating issue in this community is not you can bring bigger planes in or more flights in. The gating issue is at the bed base,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

“Draw from the outside in. Untouched forest first. Then capture the scarred terrain.”

From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

They discuss the ins and outs of government debt, the idea of state bankruptcy, and what lessons can be learned for future legislation.

From Slate ● Oct. 12, 2026

"Brian wouldn't tell me the ins and outs of it, but I knew it was bad. Brian was really upset by it."

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

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

Similar experimental systems have long been used to study how heat moves through slow moving materials, making them useful stand ins for the rocky interiors of planets.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026

And even though I knew the ins and outs of such hokum, I was still impressed.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

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

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

Milwaukee went ahead at the top of the second inning as a single from Cooper Pratt sent Brice Turang home, before they added another run in the fifth off a David Hamilton hit.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

Milwaukee starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski left the game in the sixth inning and the Rays finally got on the scoreboard in the ninth as Chandler Simpson sent Liam Hicks home off a double.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

“For us to come out in that next inning and really put together the most Rays inning you’ve ever seen,” Rays closer Bryan Baker said, “it shows a lot.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026

And by the fourth inning on Saturday, Rasmussen was finished, having surrendered three runs in his shortest outing since July 9.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

The Rangers rocked Clemens in the first inning.

From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson

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