this

American  

[this] / ðɪs /

pronoun

• these
  plural

1. (used to indicate a person, thing, idea, state, event, time, remark, etc., as present, near, just mentioned or pointed out, supposed to be understood, or by way of emphasis).

   This is my coat.

2. (used to indicate one of two or more persons, things, etc., referring to the one nearer in place, time, or thought; opposed tothat ).

   This is Liza and that is Amy.

3. (used to indicate one of two or more persons, things, etc., implying a contrast or contradistinction; opposed tothat ).

   I'd take that instead of this.

4. what is about to follow.

   Now hear this!

   Watch this!

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adjective

• these
  plural

1. (used to indicate a person, place, thing, or degree as present, near, just indicated or mentioned, or as well-known or characteristic).

   These people are my friends.

   This problem has worried me for a long time.

2. (used to indicate the nearer in time, place, or thought of two persons, things, etc.; opposed tothat. )

3. (used to imply mere contradistinction; opposed tothat. )

4. (used in place of an indefinite article for emphasis).

   I was walking down the street when I heard this explosion.

adverb

1. (used with adjectives and adverbs of quantity or extent) to the extent or degree indicated.

   this far;

   this softly.

idioms

1. with this, following this; hereupon.

   With this, he threw down his glass and left the table.

this British  

/ ðɪs /

determiner

1. 1. used preceding a noun referring to something or someone that is closer: distinct from that

      this dress is cheaper than that one

      look at this picture

   2. ( as pronoun )

      this is Mary and that is her boyfriend

      take this

2. 1. used preceding a noun that has just been mentioned or is understood

      this plan of yours won't work

   2. ( as pronoun )

      I first saw this on Sunday

3. 1. used to refer to something about to be said, read, etc

      consider this argument

   2. ( as pronoun )

      listen to this

4. 1. the present or immediate

      this time you'll know better

   2. ( as pronoun )

      before this, I was mistaken

5. informal often used in storytelling, an emphatic form of a 1 the 1

   I saw this big brown bear

6. various unspecified and trivial actions, matters, objects, etc

7. not_standard an emphatic form of this this this

8. after this; thereupon

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adverb

1. used with adjectives and adverbs to specify a precise degree that is about to be mentioned

   go just this fast and you'll be safe

this More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing this

• at this point
• at this rate
• at this stage
• from this day forward
• in this day and age
• out of this world
• shuffle off (this mortal coil)

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Etymology

Origin of this

First recorded before 900; (pronoun and adjective) Middle English; Old English: nominative and accusative neuter singular of the demonstrative pronoun thes (masculine), thēos (feminine); cognate with German dies, Old Norse thissi; (adverb) Middle English, special use of the Old English instrumental singular thȳs, thīs, accusative singular neuter this, perhaps by association with thus

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

this

The company has disclosed relying on 34 lobbyists this year, and it has indicated that it has lobbied on the Chip Security Act and the AI Overwatch Act.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 10, 2026

The last time this pattern happened, businesses found themselves eligible for tariff refunds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2026

In contrast, group health insurance premiums were up 9% on average this year and are expected to increase by the same amount next year.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 10, 2026

The band follows two promising EPs from earlier this year with its first album of new material since 2017, but the collection struggles to cohere.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2026

Although she passed away, to this day, when I smell jasmine, a part of me still expects her to be somewhere nearby.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

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Related Words

• that

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