i

noun, often capitalized, often attributive \ ˈī \

Definition of i

plural i's or is play \ˈīz\

1 a :the 9th letter of the English alphabet

b :a graphic representation of this letter

c :a speech counterpart of orthographic i

2 :one — see Table of Numbers

3 :a graphic device for reproducing the letter i

4 :one designated i especially as the ninth in order or class

5 :something shaped like the letter I

6 :a unit vector parallel to the x-axis

[abbreviation for incomplete]

a :a grade rating a student's work as incomplete

b :one graded or rated with an I

8 :i formation

See i defined for English-language learners

See i defined for kids

Examples of i in a Sentence

The word “ice” begins with an i.
The word “ice” begins with i.

First Known Use of i

before 12th century

i

abbreviation

Definition of i

1 industrial

2 initial

3 intelligence

4 intensity

5 interlaced

6 intransitive

7 island; isle

i

symbol

Definition of i

imaginary unit

I

pronoun \ ˈī , ə \

Definition of I

:the one who is speaking or writing

I feel fine

— compare me, mine, my, we

See I defined for English-language learners

See I defined for kids

me or i?

Me is used in many constructions where strict grammarians prescribe I. This usage is not so much ungrammatical as indicative of the shrinking range of the nominative form: me began to replace I sometime around the 16th century largely because of the pressure of word order. I is now chiefly used as the subject of an immediately following verb. Me occurs in every other position: absolutely

- who, me?

, emphatically

- me too

, and after prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs, including be.

- come with me
- you're as big as me
- it's me

Almost all usage books recognize the legitimacy of me in these positions, especially in speech; some recommend I in formal and especially written contexts after be and after as and than when the first term of the comparison is the subject of a verb.

Origin and Etymology of i

Middle English, from Old English ic; akin to Old High German ih I, Latin ego, Greek egō

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Alphabet Terms

cuneiform, linear, minuscule, pictograph, rune, symbology, wedge

I

noun \ ˈī \

Definition of I

plural I's or Is play \ˈīz\

:someone aware of possessing a personal individuality :self

First Known Use of i

1539

I

abbreviation

Definition of I

1 electric current

2 Indian

3 interstate

4 Israeli

See I defined for English-language learners

I

symbol

Definition of I

iodine

-i-

Definition of -i-

—used as a connective vowel to join word elements especially of Latin origin

matrilineal

raticide

Origin and Etymology of -i-

Latin, thematic vowel of most nouns and adjectives in combination

I Defined for English Language Learners

i

noun

Definition of i for English Language Learners

: the ninth letter of the English alphabet
: the number one in Roman numerals

I

pronoun

Definition of I for English Language Learners

: the person who is speaking or writing

I Defined for Kids

i

noun, often capitalized \ ˈī \

Definition of i for Students

plural i's or is \ˈīz\

1 :the ninth letter of the English alphabet

2 :the number one in Roman numerals

I

pronoun \ ˈī , ə \

Definition of I for Students

:the person speaking or writing

I am here.

Headscratcher for i

English is the only language in which its first person pronoun I is capitalized. I is also the most frequently spoken word in English.

Medical Dictionary

i

abbreviation

medical Definition of i

1 incisor

2 optically inactive

I

symbol

medical Definition of I

iodine

Learn More about i

See words that rhyme with i Spanish Central: Translation of i Nglish: Translation of i for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of i for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up i? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

i

Definition of i

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Examples of i in a Sentence

First Known Use of i

i

Definition of i

i

Definition of i

I

Definition of I

me or i?

Origin and Etymology of i

Other Alphabet Terms

I

Definition of I

First Known Use of i

I

Definition of I

I

Definition of I

-i-

Definition of -i-

Origin and Etymology of -i-

I Defined for English Language Learners

i

Definition of i for English Language Learners

I

Definition of I for English Language Learners

I Defined for Kids

i

Definition of i for Students

I

Definition of I for Students

Headscratcher for i

Medical Dictionary

i

medical Definition of i

I

medical Definition of I

Learn More about i

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

Trending: McCain: Half-Baked, 'Spurious' Nationalism

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066