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

He is also prohibited from having any contact with the staffer. —Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 17 Dec. 2025

Nick Reiner was expected to appear in court Tuesday morning, but his attorney, Alan Jackson, told The New York Times that he was not medically cleared to transfer from jail to the courthouse. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Dec. 2025

The cave floor was covered in layers of fossils — including sloths, birds, and reptiles — mostly derived from owl pellets (indigestible remains coughed up by owls). —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025

The 16-13 loss dropped Kansas City's record to 6–8 and mathematically eliminated last season's AFC champions from playoff contention. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 17 Dec. 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