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in-
1-in
2- 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-
3- a prefix of Latin origin meaning primarily “in,” but used also as a verb-formative with the same force as in- 1 ( incarcerate; incantation ).
-in
4- 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-
5- 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).
-in
6- 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
7[ in ]
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 thing to do.
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 ( out ):
His in score on the second round was 34.
noun
- Usually ins. persons in office or political power ( 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 ( out ).
verb (used with object)
- to enclose.
In
8- indium.
IN
9abbreviation for
- Indiana (approved especially for use with zip code).
in.
10abbreviation for
- inch; inches.
in.
1abbreviation for
- inch(es)
in-
2prefix
- not; non- Compare un- 1
irregular
incredible
illegal
insincere
imperfect
in
3the internet domain name for
- India
in
4/ ɪn /
preposition
- inside; within
no smoking in the auditorium
- at a place where there is
lying in the shade
walking in the rain
- indicating a state, situation, or condition
in a deep sleep
standing in silence
- before or when (a period of time) has elapsed
come back in one year
- using (a language, etc) as a means of communication
written in code
- concerned or involved with, esp as an occupation
in journalism
- expressing a ratio, proportion, or probability
one in five boys
- while or by performing the action of; as a consequence of or by means of
in crossing the street he was run over
- used to indicate goal or purpose
in honour of the president
- (used of certain animals) about to give birth to; pregnant with (specified offspring)
in calf
in foal
- a variant of into
she fell in the water
he tore the paper in two
- have it in oneoften foll by an infinitive to have the ability (to do something)
- in it informal.joining in; taking part
- in that or in so far asconjunction because or to the extent that; inasmuch as
I regret my remark in that it upset you
- nothing in itno difference or interval between two things
adverb
- in or into a particular place; inward or indoors
bring him in
come in
- so as to achieve office, power, or authority
the Conservatives got in at the last election
- so as to enclose
block 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 innings
you have to get the other side out before you go in
- (of a fire) alight
do you keep the fire in all night?
- in combination indicating an activity or gathering, esp one organized to protest against something
work-in
teach-in
- in atpresent at (the beginning, end, etc)
- in betweenbetween
- in forabout to be affected by (something, esp something unpleasant)
you're in for a shock
- in onacquainted with or sharing in
I was in on all his plans
- in withassociated 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; modish
the in thing to do
- competing
you've got to be in to win
noun
- ins and outsintricacies or complications; details
the ins and outs of a computer system
In
5the chemical symbol for
- indium
IN
6abbreviation for
- Indiana
-in
7suffix forming nouns
- indicating a neutral organic compound, including proteins, glucosides, and glycerides
digitoxin
tripalmitin
insulin
- indicating an enzyme in certain nonsystematic names
pepsin
- indicating a pharmaceutical substance
aspirin
riboflavin
penicillin
- indicating a chemical substance in certain nonsystematic names
coumarin
in-
8prefix
- in; into; towards; within; on
immigrate
infiltrate
- having an intensive or causative function
imperil
inflame
in.
- Abbreviation of inch
Word History and Origins
Origin of in-2
Origin of in-6
Word History and Origins
Origin of in-1
Origin of in-2
Origin of in-3
Origin of in-4
Idioms and Phrases
- 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: Also British, for it.
I forgot our anniversary again, and I'll be in for it now.
- 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.
More idioms and phrases containing in-
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
This is a guy who has his son-in-law clean his eyeglasses, for crying out loud.
Her travel clique has been known to arrive at an airport, bags packed, passport-in-hand, within hours of spotting a deal.
Earl Spencer adds, “Effectively, my great-grandfather sold his children to his father-in-law.”
The lack of a gun is not likely to be a major problem for close-in air-to-air dogfights against other jets.
But those weapons are of limited utility, especially during close-in fights.
Such throats are trying, are they not?In case one catches cold; Ah, yes!
The commander-in-chief still kept him attached to the headquarter staff, and constantly employed him on special service.
So far Murat had always held subordinate commands; his great ambition was to become the commander-in-chief of an independent army.
Their jurisdictions overlapped and the Gascon would play second fiddle to no one save to his great brother-in-law.
But the novel disappeared under the clothes with amazing celerity as the voice of her sister-in-law demanded admission.
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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.
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