if

1 of 2

conjunction

ˈif 

əf

1

a

: in the event that

b

: allowing that

c

: on the assumption that

d

: on condition that

2

: whether

asked if the mail had come

I doubt if I'll pass the course

3

—used as a function word to introduce an exclamation expressing a wish

if it would only rain

4

: even though : although perhaps

an interesting if untenable argument

5

: and perhaps not even

few if any changes are expected

—often used with not

difficult if not impossible

if

2 of 2

noun

ˈif 

1

: condition, stipulation

the question … depends on too many ifs to allow an answer

—Encounter

2

: supposition

Phrases

if anything

: on the contrary even : perhaps even

if anything, you ought to apologize

Synonyms

Noun

• assumption
• theory
• given

Examples of if in a Sentence

Noun

There are too many ifs in this proposal.

your conclusion may turn out to be accurate, but you're postulating a lot of ifs

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If Florida is out of the way due to missing Aleksander Barkov (still a big if), the Atlantic really opens up. —Sean Gentille, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

The two eventually form an intergenerational friendship that’s genuine, even if its foundation is based on a white lie, and you brace for the inevitable moment — not an if, but a when — of Eleanor getting busted. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025

If the Nefes report proves true—and again that’s a big if—and Russia seeks to buy back S-400s from Turkey to keep its traditional customers onside, that could further bode ill for a delivery of Su-35s or any other advanced weapons systems to Tehran. —Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

But Laura isn’t interested in discussing the ifs and buts. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025

And that remains, at best, a very big if. —Andrei Lankov, Time, 21 Aug. 2025

If rookie first-rounder Josh Simmons holds up at left tackle, this group should be solid, but that's another big if. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025

The new strategy means the doc fix happens only if Republicans can get a reconciliation package across the finish line — a big if. —Peter Sullivan, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025

The question about Running Point getting a season 2 is not really an if, but a when. —Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Conjunction

Middle English, from Old English gif; akin to Old High German ibu if

First Known Use

Conjunction

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

Noun

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing if

• as if
• as if I cared
• As if on cue
• correct me if I'm wrong
• damned if
• darned if
• doggoned if
• even if
• few if any
• I don't mind if I do
• if anything
• if (at all) possible
• if/had (two people's) situations been reversed
• if he/she is day
• if I may/might say so
• if I may say so
• if I say so myself
• if it ain't broke, don't fix it
• if it comes to that
• if it had not been for
• if it isn't
• if it kills one
• if it's any consolation
• if it's the last thing someone does
• if it's the last thing someone (ever) does
• if it wasn't
• if it were not for
• if I were (someone)
• if I were you
• if looks could kill, I'd be dead right now
• if memory serves
• if (my) memory serves me (correctly/right/rightly)
• if necessary
• if need be
• if not
• if not for
• if nothing else
• if one had one's druthers
• if one knows what's good for one
• if only
• if so
• if someone likes
• if someone must
• if the cap fits
• if the cap fits, wear it
• if the shoe fits
• if the shoe fits, wear it
• if (the) worse comes to (the) worst
• if (the) worst comes to (the) worst
• if/when all else fails
• if worse comes to worse
• if you ask me
• if you believe that, you'll believe anything
• if you can't stand/take the heat, get out of the kitchen
• if you don't mind my/me asking
• if you don't mind my/me saying so
• if you know what I mean
• if you like
• if you must know
• if you please
• if you've got it, flaunt it
• if you've seen one, you've seen them all
• if you will
• little if any
• nothing if not
• rarely/seldom if ever
• see if I care
• that's a big if
• what if
• (you're) damned if you do and damned if you don't

Rhymes for if

• biff
• cliff
• diff
• glyph
• griff
• riff
• schiff
• skiff
• sniff
• stiff
• tiff
• whiff

Kids Definition

if

1 of 2 conjunction

(ˌ)if 

əf

1

: in the event that

come if you can

2

: whether it is or was true that

asked if the mail had come

3

—used to introduce a wish

if it would only rain

4

: even though : but

an interesting if unbelievable excuse

if

2 of 2 noun

ˈif 

1

: condition entry 1 sense 3, stipulation

too many ifs make the contract confusing

2

: supposition sense 1

a theory full of ifs

Medical Definition

IF

abbreviation

interferon