First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
with
preposition \ˈwith, ˈwith, wəth, wəth\
—used to say that people or things are together in one place
—used to say that two or more people or things are doing something together or are involved in something
: having (a particular characteristic, possession, etc.)
Full Definition of WITH
1
a : in opposition to : against <had a fight with his brother> b : so as to be separated or detached from <broke with her family>
2
a —used as a function word to indicate a participant in an action, transaction, or arrangement <works with his father> <a talk with a friend> <got into an accident with the car> b —used as a function word to indicate the object of attention, behavior, or feeling <get tough with him> <angry with her> c : in respect to : so far as concerns <on friendly terms with all nations> d —used to indicate the object of an adverbial expression of imperative force <off with his head> e : over, on <no longer has any influence with them> f : in the performance, operation, or use of <the trouble with this machine>
3
a —used as a function word to indicate the object of a statement of comparison or equality <a dress identical with her hostess's> b —used as a function word to express agreement or sympathy <must conclude, with you, that the painting is a forgery> c : on the side of : for <if he's for lower taxes, I'm with him> d : as well as <can pitch with the best of them>
4
a —used as a function word to indicate combination, accompaniment, presence, or addition <heat milk with honey> <went there with her> <his money, with his wife's, comes to a million> b : inclusive of <costs $5 with the tax>
5
a : in the judgment or estimation of <stood well with her classmates> b : in or according to the experience or practice of <with many of us, our ideas seem to fall by the wayside — W. J. Reilly>
6
a —used as a function word to indicate the means, cause, agent, or instrumentality <hit him with a rock> <pale with anger> <threatened with tuberculosis> <he amused the crowd with his antics> b archaic : by the direct act of
7
a —used as a function word to indicate manner of action <ran with effort> <acknowledge your contribution with thanks> b —used as a function word to indicate an attendant fact or circumstance <stood there with his hat on> c —used as a function word to indicate a result attendant on a specified action <got off with a light sentence>
8
a (1) : in possession of : having <came with good news> (2) : in the possession or care of <left the money with her mother> b : characterized or distinguished by <a person with a sharp nose>
9
a —used as a function word to indicate a close association in time <with the outbreak of war they went home> <mellows with time> b : in proportion to <the pressure varies with the depth>
10
a : in spite of : notwithstanding <a really tip-top man, with all his wrongheadedness — H. J. Laski> b : except for <finds that, with one group of omissions and one important addition, they reflect that curriculum — Gilbert Highet>
11
: in the direction of <with the wind> <with the grain>
See with defined for English-language learners
See with defined for kids
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Origin of WITH
Middle English, against, from, with, from Old English; akin to Old English wither against, Old High German widar against, back, Sanskrit vi apart
Related to WITH
- Synonyms
- due to, owing to, through, because of
WITH Defined for Kids
with
preposition \ˈwith, ˈwith\
Definition of WITH for Kids
1
: in the company of <I went to the show with a friend.>
2
: by the use of <I measured with a ruler.>
3
: having in or as part of it <coffee with cream>
4
: in regard to <He is patient with children.>
5
: in possession of <animals with horns> <Dad arrived with good news.>
6
: against 1 <The boy fought with his brother.>
7
: in shared relation to <I like to talk with friends.>
8
: compared to <This sock is identical with the rest.>
9
: in the opinion or judgment of <Is the party all right with your parents?>
10
: so as to show <Her mother spoke with pride.>
11
: as well as <She hits the ball with the best of them.>
12
: from 2 <I hated to part with my books.>
13
: because of <I was pale with anger.>
14
: despite <With all your tricks you failed.>
15
: if given <With your permission, I'll leave.>
16
: at the time of or shortly after <We'll need to get up with the dawn.> <With that, I paused.>
17
: in support of <I'm with you all the way.>
18
: in the direction of <Sail with the tide.>
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