Definition of 'in'
pronunciation note: The preposition is pronounced (ɪn). The adverb is pronounced (ɪn).In addition to the uses shown below, in is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives in order to introduce extra information.
In is also used with verbs of movement such as 'walk' and 'push', and in phrasal verbs
such as 'give in' and 'dig in'.
1. preposition
Someone or something that is in something else is enclosed by it or surrounded by it. If you put something in a container, you move it so that it is enclosed by the container.
He was in his car.
...clothes hanging in the wardrobe.
Put the knives in the kitchen drawer.
Mix the sugar and the water in a cup.
2. preposition
If something happens in a place, it happens there.
We spent a few days in a hotel.
He had intended to take a holiday in America.
Those rockets landed in the desert.
3. adverb
My flatmate was in at the time.
He has had to be in every day.
Synonyms: at home More Synonyms of in
4. adverb
5. adverb
6. adverb
7. preposition
Something that is in a window, especially a shop window, is just behind the window so that you can see it from outside.
The light in the window went out.
There was a camera for sale in the window.
8. preposition
9. preposition
10. preposition
11. preposition
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
1. preposition
2. preposition
If you are in something such as a play or a race, you are one of the people taking part.
Alf offered her a part in the play he was directing.
The Princess had been invited to ride in a charity race.
More than fifteen thousand people took part in the memorial service.
3. preposition
Something that is in a group or collection is a member of it or part of it.
The New England team are the worst in the league.
...the most spectacular painting in the collection.
4. preposition
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
1. preposition
If something happens in a particular year, month, or other period of time, it happens during that time.
...that early spring day in April 1949.
Export orders improved in the last month.
In the evening, the people assemble in the mosques.
He believes food prices will go up in the future.
2. preposition
If something happens in a particular situation, it happens while that situation is going on.
His father had been badly wounded in the last war.
...issues you struggle with in your daily life.
3. preposition
If you do something in a particular period of time, that is how long it takes you to do it.
He walked two hundred and sixty miles in eight days.
4. preposition
If something will happen in a particular length of time, it will happen after that length of time.
I'll have some breakfast ready in a few minutes.
They'll be back in six months.
5. preposition
6. preposition
You use in to indicate roughly how many people or things do something.
...men who came there in droves.
The children were assembled in hundreds.
The jugs were produced in their millions.
7. preposition
You use in to express a ratio, proportion, or probability.
Last year, one in five boys left school without a qualification.
He was told that he had a one in 500 chance of survival.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
1. preposition
If something or someone is in a particular state or situation, that is their present state or situation.
The economy was in trouble.
Dave was in a hurry to get back to work.
Their equipment was in poor condition.
One of their men was in danger.
2. preposition
3. preposition
4. preposition
You use in when saying that someone or something has a particular quality.
He had all the qualities I was looking for in a partner.
'I don't agree,' she said, surprised at the strength in her own voice.
There is artistry in what he does.
5. preposition
You use in to indicate how someone is expressing something.
Information is given to the patient verbally and in writing.
...lessons in languages other than Spanish.
...trying to speak in a casual voice.
...written in a simple but very expressive style.
6. preposition
You use in in expressions such as in a row or in a ball to describe the arrangement or shape of something.
The cards need to be laid out in two rows.
Her ear, shoulder and hip are in a straight line.
He was curled up in a ball.
7. preposition
If something is in a particular colour, it has that colour.
...white flowers edged in pink.
He saw something written in black on the gravestones.
8. preposition
The movie is nearly two hours in length.
The oil is green in colour.
There is a big difference in the amounts that banks charge.
...a real increase in the standard of living.
The officers were rather slovenly in their methods.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word forms: plural ins
pronunciation note: Pronounced (ɪn) for meanings [sense 1] and , [sense 3] to , [sense 8], and (ɪn) for meaning [sense 2].
1. adjective
[informal]
A few years ago jogging was the in thing.
It is the 'in' place to go for a quick drink after work.
2. preposition
You use in with a present participle to indicate that when you do something, something else happens as a result.
In working with others, you find out more about yourself.
3.
5.
6.
7.
8.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
...30.4 x 25.4 cm (12 x 10 in).
It is 24 ins wide and 16 ins high.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
preposition
2.
at a place where there is
lying in the shade
walking in the rain
8.
while or by performing the action of; as a consequence of or by means of
in crossing the street he was run over
10.
in foal
in calf
12. have it in one
13. in it
14. in that
15. nothing in it
adverb (particle)
19.
(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
21. (in combination)
teach-in
work-in
22. in at
23. in between
24. in for
25. in on
26. in with
27. have it in for
adjective
noun
30. ins and outs
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin of 'in'
Old English; compare Old High German in, Welsh yn, Old Norse ī, Latin in, Greek enWord Frequency
in2
the internet domain name for
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency
In
Word Frequency
IN
abbreviation for
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency
in.
Word Frequency
IN in American English
Indiana
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
In1 in American English
Indiana
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
In2 in American English
Chemistry
indium
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
preposition
1.
contained or enclosed by; inside; within
in the room, in the envelope
2.
wearing; clothed by
to dress in one's best
4.
at or before the end of
return in an hour
7.
8.
out of a group or set of
one in ten will fail
9.
amidst; surrounded by
in a storm, in total darkness
12.
with regard to; as concerns
weak in faith, to vary in size, six feet two in height
14.
with; by; using
to paint in oils, written in English, sculpture done in wood
15.
because of; for
to cry in pain
16.
by way of; for the purpose of
do this in my defense
17.
as a part of the capacity or function of; belonging to
he didn't have it in him to cheat; can you find it in yourself to forgive her?
18.
when the idea of motion from outside to inside is intended, into is generally preferred
adverb
20.
from a point outside to one inside
to invite visitors in
22.
at or inside one's home, office, etc.
forced to stay in for a day
25.
so as to form a part
mix in the cream
adjective
27.
inner; inside
32. Informal
known to or able to be understood by only a certain group of people; inside (sense 7)
an in joke
noun
33.
a person, group, etc. that is in power, in office, or in a favored position
usually used in pl.
verb transitiveWord forms: inned or ˈinning Chiefly British , Dialectal
36.
to enclose
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin of 'in'
ME < OE, akin to Ger in < IE base *en- > Gr en, L in (OL en), OIr in, OSlav on-, Sans an-Word Frequency
in2 in American English
inch(es)
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Trends of 'in'
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Definition of in from the
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