into

preposition

in·​to ˈin-(ˌ)tü 

-tə

1

—used as a function word to indicate entry, introduction, insertion, superposition, or inclusion

came into the house

enter into an alliance

2

: in the direction of

looking into the sun

3

: to a position of contact with : against

ran into a wall

4

a

: to the state, condition, or form of

got into trouble

b

: to the occupation, action, or possession of

go into farming

c

: involved with or interested in

into sports

not into her music

5

—used as a function word to indicate a period of time or an extent of space part of which is passed or occupied

far into the night

6

—used as a function word to indicate the dividend in division

dividing 3 into 6 gives 2

Examples of into in a Sentence

She came into the room.

a medicine injected into the bloodstream

Please put the bowl into the sink.

They were heading into town.

He jumped into the pool.

She was just staring into space.

Recent Examples on the Web

Several members of Gravel & Grit submitted a formal complaint July 23 to the joint committee to request a full investigation into the Franklin County prison project. —Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2025

Sinner had similar problems here and came into the contest with a 57 percent reading. —Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Rising through a manhole in the middle of a dark New York alley populated with drag queens and the colorful characters of Lower Manhattan, the ever-blond Carpenter sank into her daffy-meets-sultry routine. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025

Next week, the former New York Times media reporter Ravi Somaiya is launching Bungalow, a project promising to delve deep into stories outside of the daily (and sometimes hourly) news cycle. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English intō, from in entry 2 + tō to

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for into

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

into

preposition

in·​to ˈin-tə 

-tü

1

—used to indicate entry, introduction, or inclusion

came into the room

enter into an agreement

2

a

: to the state, condition, or form of

got into trouble

divide into four parts

b

: to the occupation, action, or possession of

go into farming

3

: against sense 4

ran into a wall

4

: involved with or interested in

was never into abstract art