from

preposition

ˈfrəm 

ˈfräm,

 also  fəm

1

a

—used as a function word to indicate a starting point of a physical movement or a starting point in measuring or reckoning or in a statement of limits

came here from the city

a week from today

cost from $5 to $10

b

—used as a function word to indicate the starting or focal point of an activity

called me from a pay phone

ran a business from her home

2

—used as a function word to indicate physical separation or an act or condition of removal, abstention, exclusion, release, subtraction, or differentiation

protection from the sun

relief from anxiety

3

—used as a function word to indicate the source, cause, agent, or basis

we conclude from this

a call from my lawyer

inherited a love of music from his father

worked hard from necessity

Examples of from in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Minus a merger here and an acquisition there, Europe’s business giants remain largely unchanged from two—or even 20—years ago. —Adam Gale, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025

Air pollution from wildfire smoke was also linked to a record 154,000 deaths last year. —Simmone Shah, Time, 29 Oct. 2025

The Toronto Blue Jays bounced back from a tough Game 3 loss to even the World Series at two games apiece following a 6-2 Game 4 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. —Wayne Sterling, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025

Mendes posted photos from her engagement party on Instagram, including one of the soon-to-be bride, Petsch, and Reinhart sharing an emotional hug at the event. —Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English from, fram; akin to Old High German fram, adverb, forth, away, Old English faran to go — more at fare

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for from

• bum
• chum
• come
• crum
• cum
• drum
• dum
• dumb
• frum
• glum
• gum
• hum

Kids Definition

from

preposition

(ˈ)frəm 

ˈfräm

1

—used to show a starting or central point

came here from the city

a letter from home

ran a business from home

2

—used to show removal or separation

the dictator fell from power

subtract 3 from 9

far from safe

3

—used to show a material, source, or cause

a doll made from rags

reading aloud from a book

suffering from a cold