preposition | adverb
inin1 /ɪn/ ●●● S1 W1 preposition 1
used with the name of a container, place, or area to show where someone or something is: The scissors are in the top drawer. I was still in bed at 11:30. Bob’s out working in the yard. There’s a hole in my sock. He lived in Boston for four years. Grandpa’s in the hospital.2from the outside to the inside of a container, a building, etc. SYN into: She went in the house. Put your clothes in the closet. He fell in the river.3happening in a particular month, year, season, etc.: We bought our car in April. In 1969 the first astronauts landed on the Moon. We use the furnace all the time in the winter.4during a period of time: We finished the whole project in a week.5at the end of a period of time: Gerry should be home in an hour. I wonder if they will still be married in a year. → see Word Choice at after16included as part of a book, document, film, etc.: One of the guys in the story is a doctor. In the first part of the speech he talked about the environment.7experiencing a particular state or situation: I’m in a hurry. You’re in big trouble. The castle was in ruins.8used to say what activity someone does: I spent three years in the marching band. He died in the war.9somebody has not done something in years/months/weeks etc. (also the first something in years/months etc.) used to say how much time has passed since the last time something happened: I haven’t talked to him in months. It was the first time I’d seen him in three years.10used to say how something is done or happens: Roger spoke in a low whisper. I had to speak to him in French. Do not write in pen on this test. His early comedies were filmed in black and white. We waited in silence.11used to mention the weather or the physical conditions somewhere: They were out playing in the rain. A couple sat in the shade of a tree.12doing or affecting a particular type of job: Wendy’s in advertising. reforms in education13used to show what person or thing has the quality you are mentioning: There’s a hint of fall in the air. She’s everything I’d want in a wife. He was very aggressive – I didn’t realize he had it in him!14used to talk about the shape, arrangement, or course of something or someone: Everybody stand in a straight line. He made a bowl in the shape of a heart. Put the files in alphabetical order.15wearing a particular color or piece of clothing: She was dressed in black. He looked very handsome in his uniform.16used to show the connection or relationship between two ideas or subjects: That dessert looks awfully high in calories. an expert in nuclear physics strong growth in exports17used to name the substance, food, drink, etc. that contains something: Vitamin C is found in oranges and lemons.18used to say what color something is or what it is made of: The china is trimmed in blue. a sculpture in white marble19used before numbers or amounts to say how many people or things are involved with something, or how many there are in each group: Mourners lined the streets in the thousands. Please work in pairs.20be in your 20s/30s/40s etc. to be between the ages of 20 and 29, 30 and 39, etc.: I’d say she’s in her mid-40s.21used between a smaller number and a larger number to say how common or likely something is, or what the rate of something is: One in every ten children now suffers from asthma.22used to say what feeling you have when you do something: Lily looked at me in shock. He was just teasing – it was all in fun.23used before the name of someone or something when you are saying how he or she is regarded: You’ll always have a friend in me.24in all used when giving a total number or amount: I think there were about 25 of us in all.25in two/half/pieces/thirds etc. used to say how many pieces something is divided into: She ripped the sheet of paper in two. a book in four parts26used to say that something else happens at the same time as what you are doing, or as a result of it: In my excitement, I forgot all about the message.in doing something In reading the story, I felt nothing but sympathy for the victims.27in that used after a statement to begin to explain in what way it is true: She was lucky in that her cancer could be treated. [Origin: Old English] → see also the ins and outs (of something) at ins preposition | adverb
inin2 ●●● S1 W1 adverb 1from the outside to the inside of a container, building, etc. OPP out: She pushed the box toward me so that I could put my money in. Should we wait out here, or should we go in? The water looked inviting, and he dived in.2inside a building, especially the building where you live or work: Ms. Shaewitz isn’t in yet this morning. You’re never in when I call.3if a bus, train, airplane, etc. gets in or is in, it arrives or has arrived at a station, airport, etc.: What time does his bus get in? Her flight’s not in yet.4given or sent to a person or place to be read or looked at: Your final papers have to be in by Friday. Letters have been pouring in from all over the country.5if you write, paint, or draw something in, you write it, paint it, etc. in the correct place: Write in your name and address at the bottom.6if someone is in or is voted in, he or she has been elected to be part of the government: The Republicans are in now, but for how long?7if you color, paint, fill, etc. in a shape or space, you cover the area inside its borders with color, paint, etc.: Can you color in this picture of a teddy bear for me?8if a ball is in during a game, it is inside the area where the game is being played: Her second serve was just in.9if clothes, colors, etc. are in, they are fashionable: Long hair is in again.10be in for something if someone is in for something bad, something bad is going to happen to him or her: She’s in for a surprise if she thinks we’re going to help her pay for it. You’re really in for it now (=you are going to be punished)!11be in on something to be involved in something, sometimes something secret: The movie asks questions about who was in on the plan to kill Kennedy. He really ought to be in on this discussion. → see also get (somebody) in on something at get12in joke an in joke is one that is only understood by a small group of people13if the tide comes in or is in, the ocean water moves toward the shore, or is at its highest level14if you are in, you agree to take part in a plan, particular job, etc.: We need to make plans for next week, so are you in or out?15somebody has (got) it in for somebody informal if someone has it in for you, he or she does not like you and wants to cause problems or difficulties for you: I think the P.E. teacher has it in for me.16if something falls or turns in, it falls or turns toward the center: The map had started to curl in at the edges.17be/get in with somebody informal to be friendly with someone, or to become friendly with someone: She’s in with the theatrical crowd.