¹this

pronoun \ˈthis, thəs\

: the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned

: the thing that is closest to you or that is being shown to you

: the present time

plural these \ˈthēz\

Full Definition of THIS

a (1) : the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned <these are my hands> (2) : what is stated in the following phrase, clause, or discourse <I can only say this: it wasn't here yesterday>

b : this time or place <expected to return before this>

a : the one nearer or more immediately under observation or discussion <this is iron and that is tin>

b : the one more recently referred to

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Origin of THIS

Middle English, pron. & adjective, from Old English thes (masculine), this (neuter); akin to Old High German dese this, Old English thæt that

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with THIS

bis, bliss, bris, cis, cuisse, dis, Dis, hiss, kiss, miss, sis, Swiss, vis, wis

²this

adjective

—used to indicate the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned

—used to indicate the thing that is closest to you or that is being shown to you

—used to indicate the present period of time or a period of time that is near the present time

plural these

Full Definition of THIS

a : being the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned <this book is mine> <early this morning>

b : constituting the immediately following part of the present discourse

c : constituting the immediate past or future <friends all these years>

d : being one not previously mentioned —used especially in narrative to give a sense of immediacy or vividness <then this guy runs in> <had this urge to go shopping>

: being the nearer at hand or more immediately under observation or discussion <this car or that one>

See this defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of THIS

before 12th century

Related to THIS

Synonyms: closer, hither, nigher, near

Antonyms: far, farther, further, opposite, other, that

³this

adverb \ˈthis\

: to the degree or extent that is suggested in the present situation

: to the degree or extent indicated by a gesture

Full Definition of THIS

: to the degree or extent indicated by something in the immediate context or situation <didn't expect to wait this long>

See this defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of THIS

15th century

THIS[1] Defined for Kids

¹this

pronoun \ˈthis\

plural these \ˈthēz\

Definition of THIS for Kids

: the one nearer <I believe this is your book and that is mine.>

: the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned <This is where it happened.> <This is your last chance.>