is

¹ American  

[iz] / ɪz /

verb

1. 3rd person singular present indicative of be.

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idioms

1. as is. as.

IS ² American  

abbreviation

1. information security.

2. Islamic State. See ISIS.

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is- ³ American  

1. variant of iso- before a vowel.

   isallobar.

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is. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. island.

2. isle.

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Is. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

1. Isaiah.

2. island.

3. isle.

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Is. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. Also: Isa.  Bible Isaiah

2. Island(s) or Isle(s)

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IS ² British  

abbreviation

1. Iceland (international car registration)

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is ³ British  

/ ɪz /

verb

1. a form of the present tense (indicative mood) of be 1

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is ⁴ British  

abbreviation

1. Iceland

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is- ⁵ British  

combining form

1. variant of iso-

   isentropic

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Etymology

Origin of is

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch is, Old Norse es, er, German, Gothic ist, Latin est, Greek estí, Old Church Slavonic jestĭ, Sanskrit asti

Example Sentences

“I did not want to sue them. This is not how I want to live.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Now, he has mathematical proof that his approach is working: With only three defeats in 18 games La Real has climbed in the top seven in the standings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

The Lindleys know what it is to lose a child.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

“With God’s help, Camp Mystic is emerging from this storm and moving forward,” a narrator intones.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

The dewy grass is slick under your sneakers.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith