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that

pronoun (1)
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\ ˈt͟hat How to pronounce that (audio) , t͟hət \
plural those\ ˈt͟hōz How to pronounce that (audio) \

Definition of that

 (Entry 1 of 5)

1a : the person, thing, or idea indicated, mentioned, or understood from the situation that is my father
b : the time, action, or event specified after that I went to bed
c : the kind or thing specified as follows the purest water is that produced by distillation
d : one or a group of the indicated kind that's a cat—quick and agile
2a : the one farther away or less immediately under observation or discussion those are maples and these are elms
b : the former one
3a —used as a function word after and to indicate emphatic repetition of the idea expressed by a previous word or phrase he was helpful, and that to an unusual degree
b —used as a function word immediately before or after a word group consisting of a verbal auxiliary or a form of the verb be preceded by there or a personal pronoun subject to indicate emphatic repetition of the idea expressed by a previous verb or predicate noun or predicate adjective is she capable? She is that
4a : the one : the thing : the kind : something, anything the truth of that which is true the senses are that whereby we experience the world what's that you say
b those plural : some persons those who think the time has come
all that
: everything of the kind indicated tact, discretion, and all that
at that
1 : in spite of what has been said or implied
2 : in addition : besides entry 2

that

conjunction
\ t͟hət, ˈt͟hat How to pronounce that (audio) \

Definition of that (Entry 2 of 5)

1a(1) —used as a function word to introduce a noun clause that is usually the subject or object of a verb or a predicate nominative said that he was afraid
(2) —used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause that is anticipated by the expletive it occurring as subject of the verb it is unlikely that he'll be in
(3) —used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause that is joined as complement to a noun or adjective we are certain that this is truethe fact that you are here
(4) —used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause modifying an adverb or adverbial expression will go anywhere that he is invited
b —used as a function word to introduce an exclamatory clause expressing a strong emotion especially of surprise, sorrow, or indignation that it should come to this!
2a(1) —used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause expressing purpose or desired result cutting down expenses that her son might inherit an unencumbered estate— W. B. Yeats
(2) —used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause expressing a reason or cause rejoice that you are lightened of a load— Robert Browning
(3) —used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause expressing consequence, result, or effect are of sufficient importance that they cannot be neglected— Hannah Wormington
b —used as a function word to introduce an exclamatory clause expressing a wish oh, that he would come
3 —used as a function word after a subordinating conjunction without modifying its meaning if that thy bent of love be honorable— William Shakespeare

that

adjective
plural those

Definition of that (Entry 3 of 5)

1a : being the person, thing, or idea specified, mentioned, or understood
b : being the one specified —usually used for emphasis that rarity among leadersthat brother of yours
c : so great a : such
2 : the farther away or less immediately under observation or discussion this chair or that one

that

pronoun (2)
\ t͟hət, ˈt͟hat How to pronounce that (audio) \

Definition of that (Entry 4 of 5)

1 —used as a function word to introduce a restrictive relative clause and to serve as a substitute within that clause for the substantive modified by the clause the house that Jack builtI'll make a ghost of him that lets me— William Shakespeare
2a : at which : in which : on which : by which : with which : to which each year that the lectures are given
b : according to what : to the extent of what —used after a negative has never been here that I know of
3a archaic : that which
b obsolete : the person who

that

adverb
\ ˈt͟hat How to pronounce that (audio) \

Definition of that (Entry 5 of 5)

1 : to such an extent a nail about that long
2 : very, extremely —usually used with the negative did not take the festival that seriously— Eric Goldman
Synonyms & Antonyms that, which, or who?: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Learn More About that

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that, which, or who?: Usage Guide

Pronoun (2)

In current usage that refers to persons or things, which chiefly to things and rarely to subhuman entities, who chiefly to persons and sometimes to animals. The notion that that should not be used to refer to persons is without foundation; such use is entirely standard. Because that has no genitive form or construction, of which or whose must be substituted for it in contexts that call for the genitive.

That vs. Which: Usage Guide

Pronoun (2)

Although some handbooks say otherwise, that and which are both regularly used to introduce restrictive clauses in edited prose. Which is also used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses. That was formerly used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses; such use is virtually nonexistent in present-day edited prose, though it may occasionally be found in poetry.

Examples of that in a Sentence

Adjective She twisted it this way and that way. Adverb “It was the worst movie that I have ever seen.” “Was it really that bad?” “Yes, it was that bad.” What would you do with that much money? “Don't go over the speed limit.” “Does the car even go that fast?” I didn't realize the book was that long. I need a nail about that long.
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First Known Use of that

Pronoun (1)

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

Conjunction

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

Adjective

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

Pronoun (2)

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

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for that

Pronoun (1)

Middle English, from Old English thæt, neuter demonstrative pronoun & definite article; akin to Old High German daz, neuter demonstrative pronoun & definite article, Greek to, Latin istud, neuter demonstrative pronoun

Pronoun (2)

Middle English, from Old English thæt, neuter relative pronoun, from thæt, neuter demonstrative pronoun

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Time Traveler for that

Time Traveler

The first known use of that was before the 12th century

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Statistics for that

Cite this Entry

“That.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/that. Accessed 19 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for that

that

conjunction
How to pronounce that (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of that

 (Entry 1 of 3)

—used to introduce a clause that is the subject or object of a verb
—used to introduce a clause that completes or explains the meaning of a previous noun or adjective or of the pronoun it
—used to introduce a clause that states a reason or purpose

that

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of that (Entry 2 of 3)

—used to indicate which person, thing, or idea is being shown, pointed to, or mentioned
—used to indicate the one that is farther away or less familiar
: the other

that

adverb
How to pronounce that (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of that (Entry 3 of 3)

: to the degree that is stated or suggested
: to the degree or extent indicated by a gesture
informal : to a great degree

See the full definition for that in the English Language Learners Dictionary

that

pronoun
\ ˈt͟hat How to pronounce that (audio) \
plural those\ ˈt͟hōz \

Kids Definition of that

 (Entry 1 of 5)

1 : the person or thing seen, mentioned, or understood That is my book. Those are my shoes.
2 : the time, action, or event mentioned Wash up, and after that, you can eat.
3 : the one farther away This is an elm, that is an oak.
4 : the one : the kind The best is that we've yet to see.

that

conjunction
\ t͟hət How to pronounce that (audio) , ˈt͟hat \

Kids Definition of that (Entry 2 of 5)

1 —used to introduce a clause that modifies a noun or adjective I'm sure that it's true.
2 —used to introduce a clause that modifies an adverb or adverbial expression He can go anywhere that he wants.
3 —used to introduce a noun clause serving especially as the subject or object of a verb He said that he was afraid.
4 : so entry 2 sense 1 She shouted that all might hear.
5 —used to introduce a clause naming a result I was so hot that I fainted.
6 : because I'm glad that you came.

that

adjective
plural those

Kids Definition of that (Entry 3 of 5)

1 : being the one mentioned, indicated, or understood that boy those people
2 : being the one farther away this book or that one these crayons or those

that

pronoun
\ t͟hət How to pronounce that (audio) , ˈt͟hat \

Kids Definition of that (Entry 4 of 5)

1 : who sense 2, whom, which the person that won the race the people that you saw the food that I like
2 : in, on, or at which the year that I moved

that

adverb
\ ˈt͟hat How to pronounce that (audio) \

Kids Definition of that (Entry 5 of 5)

: to the extent or degree shown (as by the hands) The table is about that high.

More from Merriam-Webster on that

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