this

[ this ]

pronoun

, plural these [th, eez].

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 to that ):

   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 to that ):

   I'd take that instead of this.

4. what is about to follow:

   Now hear this!

   Watch this!

adjective

, plural these [th, eez].

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

this

/ 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 )

      take this

      this is Mary and that is her boyfriend

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. this and that
   various unspecified and trivial actions, matters, objects, etc
7. this here not_standard.
   an emphatic form of this this this
8. with this or at this
   after this; thereupon

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of this¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of this¹

Old English thēs, thēos, this (masculine, feminine, neuter singular); related to Old Saxon thit, Old High German diz , Old Norse thessi

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. with this, following this; hereupon:

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

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)

Example Sentences

Trump rattled wide swaths of the U.S. defense establishment this week with a draft executive order, whose existence was reported Tuesday by the Wall Street Journal, to create a special panel — dubbed a “warrior board” — that would have the power to force out high-ranking generals and admirals.

From Los Angeles Times

“Elon was texting me this morning. Think about having the brain of Elon Musk to sacrifice his time away from his businesses to help every single American make government more efficient, more accountable,” McCarthy said.

From Los Angeles Times

This time around, as they have before, they will rely on their community and network of supporters.

From Salon

Despite a loss in Florida, this would hypothetically ease the pressure on abortion funds by expanding access.

From Salon

Shariyf said hopefully this state will serve as “an essential resource” in the Southwest, including Texas.

From Salon

Related Words

• that