it

¹

[ it ]

pronoun

nominative: itpossessive: their or theirsobjective: thempossessive: its or (Obsolete or Dialect) itplural nominative: theyobjective: it

1. (used to represent an inanimate thing understood, previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context):

   It has whitewall tires and red upholstery.

   You can't tell a book by its cover.

2. (used to represent an animal understood, previously mentioned, or about to be mentioned whose sex is unknown or disregarded):

   It was the largest shark ever caught off the Florida coast.

   The horse had its saddle on.

3. (used to represent a person of previously unknown identity, in a sentence seeking, establishing, or commenting on their identity):

   "I heard the phone ring—who was it?" "It was John."

   Someone got hurt, but they think it was not the driver.

4. (used to represent a group understood or previously mentioned):

   The judge told the jury it must decide two issues.

5. (used to represent a concept or abstract idea understood or previously stated):

   It all started with my choice to walk out that door.

   He has been taught to believe it all his life.

6. (used to represent an action or activity understood, previously mentioned, or about to be mentioned):

   Since you don't like it, you don't have to go skiing.

7. (used as the impersonal subject of the verb to be, especially to refer to time, distance, or the weather):

   It is six o'clock.

   It is five miles to town.

   It was foggy.

8. (used in statements expressing an action, condition, fact, circumstance, or situation without reference to an agent):

   If it weren't for Edna, I wouldn't go.

9. (used in referring to something as the origin or cause of pain, pleasure, etc.):

   Where does it hurt?

   It looks bad for the candidate.

10. (used in referring to a source not specifically named or described):

    It is said that love is blind.

11. (used in referring to the general state of affairs, circumstances, fate, or life in general):

    How's it going with you?

12. (used as an anticipatory subject or object in order to shift emphasis):

    It is necessary that you do your duty.

    It is I who should apologize.

    It was a very kind thing he did there.

13. Informal. (used instead of the pronoun its before a gerund):

    It having rained for only one hour didn't help the crops.

noun

1. (in children's games) the player called upon to perform some task, such as, in tag, the one who must catch the other players.
2. Slang.
   1. sex appeal.
   2. sexual intercourse.

it

²

[ it ]

noun

, British Informal.

1. sweet vermouth:

   gin and it.

It

³

abbreviation for

1. Italian ( def 3 ).

IT

⁴

abbreviation for

1. information technology.

It.

⁵

abbreviation for

1. Italian.
2. Italy.

it

¹

the internet domain name for

1. Italy

IT

²

abbreviation for

1. information technology

It.

³

abbreviation for

1. Italian
2. Italy

it

⁴

/ ɪt /

pronoun

1. refers to a nonhuman, animal, plant, or inanimate thing, or sometimes to a small baby

   give it a bone

   it looks dangerous

2. refers to an unspecified or implied antecedent or to a previous or understood clause, phrase, etc

   I knew it

   it is impossible

3. used to represent human life or experience either in totality or in respect of the present situation

   to brazen it out

   how's it going?

   I've had it

4. used as a formal subject (or object), referring to a following clause, phrase, or word

   it helps to know the truth

   I consider it dangerous to go on

5. used in the nominative as the formal grammatical subject of impersonal verbs. When it functions absolutely in such sentences, not referring to any previous or following clause or phrase, the context is nearly always a description of the environment or of some physical sensation

   it is raining

   it hurts

6. informal.
   used as complement with be the crucial or ultimate point

   the steering failed and I thought that was it

noun

1. (in children's games) the player whose turn it is to try to touch another Compare he 1
2. informal.
   1. sexual intercourse
   2. sex appeal
3. informal.
   a desirable quality or ability

   he's really got it

Grammar Note

See me.

Word History and Origins

Origin of it¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English hit, hitte, it, Old English hit, neuter of he ¹

Origin of it²

First recorded in 1930–35; It(alian vermouth)

Word History and Origins

Origin of it¹

Old English hit

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get with it, Slang. to become active or interested:

   He was warned to get with it or resign.

2. have it, Informal.
   1. to love someone:

      She really has it bad for him.

   2. to possess the requisite abilities for something; be talented, adept, or proficient:

      In this business you either have it or you don't.

3. with it, Slang.
   1. aware of the latest fads, fashions, etc.; up-to-date:

      By grooving on teenage slang, the principal is trying to show us how with it she is, but the effect is something like seeing a mohawk on Grandma.

   2. attentive or alert:

      I'm just not with it early in the morning.

   3. understanding or appreciative of something:

      Let's face it—when it comes to originality, Hollywood isn't really with it.

   4. Carnival Slang. being a member of the carnival.
4. it is what it is. it is what it is.
5. it's not over till it's over. it's not over till it's over.

More idioms and phrases containing it

• that does it

Example Sentences

He made an easy target, the know-it-all liberal egghead who demeaned the wisdom of the American people.

From The Daily Beast

On her own path, though, the “relationship know-it-all” is embracing her own, different natural progression.

From The Daily Beast

In her Twitter profile bio, writer Liz Tuccillo calls herself a “relationship know-it-all.”

From The Daily Beast

The Lennon Wall in Admiralty is a mosaic of Post-It notes, each square a scribbled wish.

From The Daily Beast

Its only failure was that it lacked the right kind of losing-it drama Oscar night watchers crave.

From The Daily Beast

I was "strung up" to a high degree of expectation and listened every moment to hear the panpipes and the Roo-too-too-it.

From Project Gutenberg

And yet—can you understand it?With a tender smile and a tear, And a half-compassionate yearning,I felt her grown more dear.

From Project Gutenberg

He wuz very peart and sassy, and it was take-it-or-leave-it-and-be-plaguey- quick-about-it all the time.

From Project Gutenberg

But in that other heart how was it?how with the sweet saint that was talking to herself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs?

From Project Gutenberg

What was there hidden under that despairing wail?it was the parting of the last strand of the cord of youthful hope.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• he
• I
• she
• sie
• they
• ve
• xe
• you
• ze
• zie