¹it

pronoun \ˈit, ət\

: that one just mentioned

—used as the subject of a verb that describes a condition or occurrence

—used in the place of a noun, phrase, or clause that usually comes later

Full Definition of IT

: that one —used as subject or direct object or indirect object of a verb or object of a preposition usually in reference to a lifeless thing <took a quick look at the house and noticed it was very old>, a plant <there is a rosebush near the fence and it is now blooming>, a person or animal whose sex is unknown or disregarded <don't know who it is>, a group of individuals or things, or an abstract entity <beauty is everywhere and it is a source of joy> — compare he, its, she, they

—used as subject of an impersonal verb that expresses a condition or action without reference to an agent <it is raining>

a —used as anticipatory subject or object of a verb <it is necessary to repeat the whole thing> ; often used to shift emphasis to a part of a statement other than the subject <it was in this city that the treaty was signed>

b —used with many verbs as a direct object with little or no meaning <footed it back to camp>

—used to refer to an explicit or implicit state of affairs or circumstances <how is it going>

: a crucial or climactic point <this is it>

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Origin of IT

Middle English, from Old English hit — more at he

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with IT

bit, bitt, brit, Brit, chit, dit, fit, flit, frit, git, grit, hit, kit, knit, lit, mitt, nit, pit, quit, sit, skit, slit, snit, spit, split, Split, sprit, teat, tit, twit, whit, wit, writ, zit

²it

noun \ˈit\

: the player in some children's games (such as hide-and-seek and tag) who performs the main action of the game (such as finding or catching other players)