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 verbssuch 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.
Synonyms: into, within, inside More Synonyms of in
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 [beADVERB]
If you are in, you are present at your home or place of work.
My flatmate was in at the time.
He has had to be in every day.
Synonyms: at home More Synonyms of in
4. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
When someone comes in, they enter a room or building.
She looked up anxiously as he came in.
They shook hands and went in.
Synonyms: inside, within, indoors, under cover More Synonyms of in
5. adverb [ADVERB after verb, beADVERB]
If a train, boat, or plane has come in or is in, it has arrived at a station, port, or airport.
We'd be watching every plane coming in from Melbourne.
Look. The train's in. We'll have to run for it now.
Synonyms: arrived, here More Synonyms of in
6. adverb [ADVERB after verb, beADVERB]
When the sea or tide comes in, the sea moves towards the shore rather than away from it.
She thought of the tide rushing in, covering the wet sand.
If the tide was in they went swimming.
Synonyms: high, rising More Synonyms of in
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
When you see something in a mirror, the mirror shows an image of it.
I couldn't bear to see my reflection in the mirror.
He caught sight of his hair in a mirror.
9. preposition
If you are dressed in a piece of clothing, you are wearing it.
He was a big man, smartly dressed in a suit and tie.
...three women in black.
10. preposition
Something that is covered or wrapped in something else has that thing over or round its surface.
His legs were covered in mud.
...carrots wrapped in newspaper.
Synonyms: with, by, within More Synonyms of in
11. preposition
If there is something such as a crack or hole in something, there is a crack or hole on its surface.
There was a deep crack in the ceiling above him.
...an unsightly hole in the garden.
More Synonyms of in
in inclusion or involvement
(ɪn)
1. preposition
If something is in a book, film, play, or picture, you can read it or see it there.
Don't stick too precisely to what it says in the book.
...one of the funniest scenes in the film.
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
You use in to specify a general subject or field of activity.
...those working in the defence industry.
...future developments in medicine.
in time and numbers
(ɪn)
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.
Synonyms: during, in the year of, in the period of More Synonyms of in
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.
Synonyms: after, following, subsequent to More Synonyms of in
5. preposition
You use in to indicate roughly how old someone is. For example, if someone is in their fifties, they are between 50 and 59 years old.
...young people in their twenties.
...Molly, a tall woman in her early sixties.
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.
Synonyms: per, out of, of More Synonyms of in
in states and qualities
(ɪn)
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
You use in to indicate the feeling or desire which someone has when they do something, or which causes them to do it.
Simpson looked at them in surprise.
Chris was weeping in anger and grief.
Carl pushed ahead in his eagerness to reach the wall.
3. preposition
If a particular quality or ability is in you, you naturally have it.
Violence is not in his nature.
I couldn't find it in me to embrace him.
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
You use in to specify which feature or aspect of something you are talking about.
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.
in other uses and phrases
Word forms: plural inspronunciation note: Pronounced (ɪn) for meanings [sense 1] and , [sense 3] to , [sense 8], and (ɪn) for meaning [sense 2].
1. adjective
If you say that something is in, or is the in thing, you mean it is fashionable or popular.
[informal]
A few years ago jogging was the in thing.
It is the 'in' place to go for a quick drink after work.
Synonyms: fashionable, current, popular, cool [slang] More Synonyms of in
2. preposition [PREP v-ing]
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.
See be in for
4.
See have it in for sb
5.
See in on
6.
See be in with
7.
See in that
8.
See ins and outs
in.
in. is a written abbreviation for inch. The plural can be 'in.' or 'ins'.
...30.4 x 25.4 cm (12 x 10 in).
It is 24 ins wide and 16 ins high.
in-
pronunciation note: Usually pronounced (ɪn-) before an unstressed syllable, and (ɪn-) before a stressed syllable.
prefix
In- is added to some words to form words with the opposite meaning. For example, something that is incorrect is not correct.
...incomplete answers.
...anyone who is insecure about themselves.
in in British English1
(ɪn)
preposition
1.
inside; within
no smoking in the auditorium
2.
at a place where there is
lying in the shade
walking in the rain
3.
indicating a state, situation, or condition
in a deep sleep
standing in silence
4.
before or when (a period of time) has elapsed
come back in one year
5.
using (a language, etc) as a means of communication
written in code
6.
concerned or involved with, esp as an occupation
in journalism
7.
expressing a ratio, proportion, or probability
one in five boys
8.
while or by performing the action of; as a consequence of or by means of
in crossing the street he was run over
9.
used to indicate goal or purpose
in honour of the president
10.
(used of certain animals) about to give birth to; pregnant with (specified offspring)
in foal
in calf
11. a variant of into
she fell in the water
he tore the paper in two
12. have it in one
13. in it
14. in that
15. nothing in it
adverb(particle)
16.
in or into a particular place; inward or indoors
come in
bring him in
17.
so as to achieve office, power, or authority
the Conservatives got in at the last election
18.
so as to enclose
block in
cover in a hole
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
20. British
(of a fire) alight
do you keep the fire in all night?
21. (in combination)
indicating an activity or gathering, esp one organized to protest against something
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
28. (stressed)
fashionable; modish
the in thing to do
29. New Zealand
competing
you've got to be in to win
noun
30. ins and outs
Word origin
Old English; compare Old High German in, Welsh yn, Old Norse ī, Latin in, Greek en
in in British English2
the internet domain name for
India
In in British English
the chemical symbol for
indium
IN in British English
abbreviation for
Indiana
Indiana in British English
(ˌɪndɪˈænə)
noun
a state of the N central US, in the Midwest: consists of an undulating plain, with sand dunes and lakes in the north and limestone caves in the south. Capital: Indianapolis. Pop: 6 195 643 (2003 est). Area: 93 491 sq km (36 097 sq miles)
Abbreviation: Ind. or (with zip code) IN
in. in British English
abbreviation for
inch(es)
in- in British English1
or il- or im- or ir-
prefix
not; non-
incredible
insincere
illegal
imperfect
irregular
Compare un-1
Word origin
from Latin in-; related to ne-, nōn not
in- in British English2
or il- or im- or ir-
prefix
1.
in; into; towards; within; on
infiltrate
immigrate
2.
having an intensive or causative function
inflame
imperil
Word origin
from in (prep, adv)
-in in British English
suffix forming nouns
1.
indicating a neutral organic compound, including proteins, glucosides, and glycerides
insulin
digitoxin
tripalmitin
2.
indicating an enzyme in certain nonsystematic names
pepsin
3.
indicating a pharmaceutical substance
penicillin
riboflavin
aspirin
4.
indicating a chemical substance in certain nonsystematic names
coumarin
Word origin
from New Latin -ina; compare -ine2
IN in American English
Indiana
In in American English1
Indiana
In in American English2
Chemistry
indium
in in American English1
(ɪn)
preposition
1.
contained or enclosed by; inside; within
in the room, in the envelope
2.
wearing; clothed by
to dress in one's best
3.
during the course of
done in a day
4.
at or before the end of
return in an hour
5.
perceptible to (one of the senses)
the town is in sight; he told a lie in my hearing
6.
limited by the scope of
in my opinion
7.
a.
being a member of or worker at
in the navy, in business
b.
being a student at
she's in college
c.
being an inmate of
to be in prison
8.
out of a group or set of
one in ten will fail
9.
amidst; surrounded by
in a storm, in total darkness
10.
affected by (a specified state or condition); having
he's in trouble; they were in tears
11.
engaged or occupied by (an activity or process)
in a search for truth, deep in thought
12.
with regard to; as concerns
weak in faith, to vary in size, six feet two in height
13.
so as to form; arranged to produce the form or shape of
hair done in curls, standing in a line
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.
into [break it in two; come in the house]
when the idea of motion from outside to inside is intended, into is generally preferred
19.
living or located at
vacationing in Venice
adverb
20.
from a point outside to one inside
to invite visitors in
21.
to or toward a certain place or direction
he flies in today, they live ten miles in
22.
at or inside one's home, office, etc.
forced to stay in for a day
23.
a.
so as to be contained by a certain space or condition
b.
so as to be in office or power
24.
so as to be agreeing or involved
he fell in with our plans
25.
so as to form a part
mix in the cream
adjective
26.
that is successful or in power
the in group
27.
inner; inside
28.
coming or going inside or inward
the in door, the in boat
29.
completed, gathered, counted, etc.
the votes are in
30. Informal
profiting to the extent of
to be in $100
31. Informal
currently smart, popular, fashionable, etc.
an in place to go
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.
34. US, Informal
special influence or favor; pull
verb transitiveWord forms: inned or ˈinning Chiefly British, Dialectal
35.
to collect; gather in
in the hay before it rains
36.
to enclose
Idioms:
come in
have it in for
in for
in on
ins and outs
in that
in with
Word origin
ME < OE, akin to Ger in < IE base *en- > Gr en, L in (OL en), OIr in, OSlav on-, Sans an-
in in American English2
inch(es)
in- in American English1
(ɪn)
in, into, within, on, toward
also used as an intensifier in some words of Latin origin [inbreed, infer, induct, instigate]: it becomes il- before l; im- before b, m, or p; and ir- before r
Word origin
< the prep. in1; also ME < OE inn & MFr in- or OFr en- < L in- < in: see in1
in- in American English2
(ɪn)
no, not, without, non- [insignificant]
it becomes il- before l; im- before b, m, or p; and ir- before r
Word origin
ME < OFr & ML < L < IE *ṇ-, initial negative particle, var. of *ne, *nē- > no1, L ne-
-in in American English1
(ɪn)
1.
a neutral carbohydrate
inulin
2.
a glycoside
amygdalin
3.
a protein
albumin
4.
a glyceride
palmitin
5.
an enzyme
rennin
6.
an antibiotic
streptomycin
7.
an alkaloid or a nitrogenous base
codein
see also -ine3
8.
a pharmaceutical preparation
chrysarobin
9.
a commercial product, material, or mixture
algin
10.
an antigen
tuberculin
see also -ine3
Word origin
see -ine3
-in in American English2
(ɪn)
any of various mass actions or gatherings of a (specified) type, as a political demonstration or a form of entertainment
pray-in, be-in
Examples of 'in' in a sentence
in
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
To make matters worse, the other woman had moved straight in with Nick.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
He stood around uneasily, obviously not wanting to go back to his game of solitaire while I was still in the room.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
I don't believe in- " I tripped on the unutterable word but recovered.
Howatch, Susan ABSOLUTE TRUTHS (1977)
"I have at least one double in Series Three, and I suspect the existence of another in- "Janet sat up sharply, gasping.
Diana Wynne Jones CHARMED LIFE (1977)
Word lists with
in
internet
In other languages
in
British English: in /ɪn/ PREPOSITION
denoting placeIn means not outside.
The juice is in the fridge.
American English: in
Arabic: فِي
Brazilian Portuguese: em
Chinese: 在...里
Croatian: u
Czech: v
Danish: i
Dutch: in
European Spanish: en
Finnish: NO TRANSLATION
French: dans
German: in
Greek: μέσα
Italian: in
Japanese: ･･･の中に
Korean: ...의 안에
Norwegian: i
Polish: w
European Portuguese: em
Romanian: în
Russian: в
Latin American Spanish: en
Swedish: i
Thai: ใน
Turkish: içinde
Ukrainian: в
Vietnamese: bên trong
British English: in /ɪn/ PREPOSITION
denoting time You use in to say when something happens.
( Brit : nights ) 变(變)长(長) biàncháng ⇒ The nights draw in and the mornings get darker. → 黑夜变长，早晨天色变得昏暗。 Hēiyè biàncháng, zǎochén tiānsè biàn de hūn'àn.
drop in
( visit )
fade in
( picture, sound ) 使淡入 shǐ dànrù
fall in
( roof, ceiling ) 塌陷 tāxiàn
fill in
( hole, crack ) 填满(滿) tiánmǎn
fit in
( lit : person, object ) 容纳(納) róngnà
fly in
( plane ) 降落 jiàngluò
get in
( be elected : candidate, party ) 当(當)选(選) dāngxuǎn
give in
( yield ) 屈服 qūfú
hand in
上交 shàngjiāo
have in
▶ to have it in for sb 对(對)某人怀(懷)恨在心 duì mǒurén huáihèn zài xīn
hem in
包围(圍) bāowéi
in all
总(總)共 zǒnggòng
in bold
( Typ ) 用粗体(體)字 yòng cūtǐzì
in code
用密码(碼) yòng mìmǎ
in drag
男人穿着(著)女子服装(裝) nánrén chuānzhe nǚzǐ fúzhuāng
in full
( reproduce, quote, pay ) 全部地 quánbù de ⇒ The bill has been paid in full. → 账单已被付清了。 Zhàngdān yǐ bèi fùqīng le.
in jail
在监(監)狱(獄) zài jiānyù ⇒ He was sentenced to two years in jail. → 他被判两年监禁。 Tā bèi pàn liǎng nián jiānjìn.
in kind
( similarly ) 以牙还(還)牙 yǐ yá huán yá
in part
在某种(種)程度上 zài mǒu zhǒng chéngdù shang
in rags
衣衫褴(襤)褛(褸) yīshān lánlǚ
in sum
( frm ) 简(簡)而言之 jiǎn ér yán zhī
in time
( eventually ) 到时(時) dàoshí
in town
在市中心 zài shì zhōngxīn
in turn
( one after the other ) 轮(輪)流 lúnliú
in vain
徒然 túrán
in-laws
姻亲(親) yīnqīn
jack in
放弃(棄) fàngqì
join in
参(參)与(與) cānyù
keep in
( invalid, child ) 不让(讓)外出 bù ràng wàichū
kick in
( take effect : electrical device ) 开(開)启(啟) kāiqǐ