First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
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
1
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>
2
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
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
1
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>
2
: 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
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
1
: the one nearer <I believe this is your book and that is mine.>
2
: 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.>
2this
adjective
plural these
Definition of THIS for Kids
1
: being the one present, near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned <this morning> <We've been friends all these years.>
2
: being the one nearer <Are you reading this book or that one?>
3this
adverb \ˈthis\
Definition of THIS for Kids
1
: to the degree suggested by something in the present situation <I didn't expect to wait this long.>
2
: to the extent shown (as with the hands) <I need a nail this long.>
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