i

1 of 8

noun (1)

ˈī 

variants often I

plural i's or is ˈīz 

often attributive

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

7

[abbreviation for incomplete]

a

: a grade rating a student's work as incomplete

b

: one graded or rated with an I

8

: i formation

i

2 of 8

abbreviation (1)

1

industrial

2

initial

3

intelligence

4

intensity

5

interlaced

6

intransitive

7

island; isle

i

3 of 8

symbol (1)

imaginary unit

Imaginary numbers have an imaginary unit, like i, 4i, and -2i.

—Yang Kuang and Elleyne Kase

I

4 of 8

pronoun

ˈī 

ə

: the one who is speaking or writing

I feel fine

compare me, mine, my, we

me or I?: Usage Guide

Me is used in many places where strict grammarians require I. In truth, this has less to do with grammar and more to do with the fact that me has been gradually replacing I since around the 16th century largely because of the pressure of word order. I is now mostly used as the subject of a verb that directly follows it,

I like to read.

when I first met them

and me occurs in every other position: in absolute and emphatic constructions,

who, me?

me too

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

come with me

almost as big as me

it's me

Most usage books recognize the legitimacy of me in these positions, especially in speech; some recommend I in formal and especially written contexts after be

It was I who called.

and after as and than when the first term of the comparison is the subject of a verb.

Everyone was as confused as I.

Few were more thrilled than I was.

I

5 of 8

noun (2)

ˈī 

plural I's or Is ˈīz 

: someone aware of possessing a personal individuality : self

I

6 of 8

abbreviation (2)

1

electric current

2

Indian

3

interstate

4

Israeli

I

7 of 8

symbol (2)

iodine

-i-

8 of 8

affix

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

matrilineal

raticide

Examples of i in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The word “ice” begins with an i.

The word “ice” begins with i.

Word History

Etymology

Pronoun

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

Affix

Latin, thematic vowel of most nouns and adjectives in combination

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Pronoun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1539, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing i

• as far/near as I can tell
• as if I cared
• don't I know it
• (don't) I wish
• how should/would I know
• how/why should I/we know
• how would I/we know
• I ask you
• I beam
• I beg your pardon
• I bet
• I (can) promise you
• I can't tell you
• I couldn't tell you
• I dare say
• I don't know
• I don't know about him/her
• I don't know about that
• I don't know about you/him/her/them
• I don't know what the world is coming to
• I don't mind if I do
• I don't mind telling you
• I don't suppose
• I fear
• if I may/might say so
• if I may say so
• if I say so myself
• if I were (someone)
• if I were you
• I formation
• if you know what I mean
• I have been there
• I have got to say
• I have it
• I have no idea
• I have to admit
• I have to say
• I have to warn you
• I hear what you're saying
• (I/I'll) tell you what
• I kid you not
• I knew it
• I know (it)
• I know what you mean
• I like that!
• I mean
• I might add
• I must love you and leave you
• I/O device
• I say
• I shouldn't wonder
• I should/would think
• I swear
• I tell a lie
• I think not
• I think so
• I told you (so)
• I wouldn't bet on it
• I wouldn't know
• I wouldn't put it past (someone)
• I would stake my life on it
• like I said
• may I just say
• more than I could stand
• not that I mind
• see if I care
• so do I
• so don't I
• so I see
• the next thing I knew
• (there) but for the grace of God (go I)
• type I error
• well, I never
• what did I tell you
• World War I
• you know what I mean

Kids Definition

i

1 of 2 noun

ˈī

often capitalized

1

: the ninth letter of the English alphabet

2

: one in Roman numerals

3

: a grade rating a student's work as incomplete

I

2 of 2 pronoun

(ˈ)ī,

ə

: the person speaking or writing

I feel fine

Medical Definition

i

1 of 2 abbreviation

1

incisor

2

optically inactive

I

2 of 2 symbol

iodine