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this

pronoun
\ ˈt͟his How to pronounce this (audio) , t͟həs\
plural these\ ˈt͟hēz How to pronounce these (audio) \

Definition of this

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1a(1) : the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned these are my hands
(2) : what is stated in the following phrase, clause, or discourse I can only say this: it wasn't here yesterday
b : this time or place expected to return before this
2a : the one nearer or more immediately under observation or discussion this is iron and that is tin
b : the one more recently referred to

this

adjective
plural these

Definition of this (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : being the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned this book is mine early this morning
b : constituting the immediately following part of the present discourse
c : constituting the immediate past or future friends all these years
d : being one not previously mentioned —used especially in narrative to give a sense of immediacy or vividness then this guy runs inhad this urge to go shopping
2 : being the nearer at hand or more immediately under observation or discussion this car or that one

this

adverb
\ ˈt͟his How to pronounce this (audio) \

Definition of this (Entry 3 of 3)

: to the degree or extent indicated by something in the immediate context or situation didn't expect to wait this long
Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about this

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Synonyms & Antonyms for this

Synonyms: Adjective

closer, hither, near, nigher

Antonyms: Adjective

far, farther, further, opposite, other, that

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Examples of this in a Sentence

Pronoun

 This is my favorite T-shirt. Anything would be better than this. “What's this right here?” “It's a very rare gold coin.” Would you take a look at this, please? All of this is mine. This is the most fun I've had in years! “It will be difficult.” “This is true.” What is the meaning of this? This is silver and that is gold. This is my jacket and that's yours.

Adjective

 some of the best restaurants are on this side of town

Adverb

 We've waited this long for the pizza, we might as well stay until it's ready. I need a nail about this long.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

 Most visitors only go this far, but the road turns to dirt and continues to climb into the White Mountains. — Ernie Cowan, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Wonders await in the White Mountains," 16 June 2018 Check out the video from last year's festivities below — and be jealous your own prom didn't look this much fun! — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "Mom Throws Incredible Prom for Son With Special Needs," 30 Apr. 2015 Haddish will handle this sudden invasion of her space with charm and grace. — Caity Weaver, GQ, "There's Something Funny About Tiffany Haddish," 26 Mar. 2018 That said, and please, don't spread this around, the rest of the video is pretty much taken directly from daily life. — Lizzy Acker, OregonLive.com, "Exposing the lies in Travel Oregon's new 'only slightly exaggerated' animated video," 13 Mar. 2018 Life expectancy is not supposed to fall in countries that are this rich, spend this much on health and pride themselves on taking care of each other. — David Bishai, Philly.com, "U.S. life expectancy just dropped for the second year in a row. Let's stop the trend now," 22 Feb. 2018 Life expectancy is not supposed to fall in countries that are this rich, spend this much on health and pride themselves on taking care of each other. — David Bishai, Philly.com, "U.S. life expectancy just dropped for the second year in a row. Let's stop the trend now," 22 Feb. 2018 If the Cavs can’t turn this around, all bets are off. — Sam Amick, USA TODAY, "Roll With the Winners: Will losses to Lakers, Clippers impact LeBron James' future?," 12 Mar. 2018 While Post readers mull this over, the paper returns to the central theme: The turnout from the left in Texas follows a string of races around the country where Democrats have shown new enthusiasm for voting in nonpresidential years. — James Freeman, WSJ, "Wave Jumpers," 7 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'this.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of this

Pronoun

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

Adjective

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

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for this

Pronoun

Middle English, pronoun & adjective, from Old English thes (masculine), this (neuter); akin to Old High German dese this, Old English thæt that

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Time Traveler for this

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

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More Definitions for this

this

pronoun
How to pronounce this (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of this

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned
: the thing that is closest to you or that is being shown to you
: the present time

this

adjective

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

—used to indicate the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned
—used to indicate the thing that is closest to you or that is being shown to you
—used to indicate the present period of time or a period of time that is near the present time

this

adverb
How to pronounce this (audio)

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

: to the degree or extent that is suggested in the present situation
: to the degree or extent indicated by a gesture

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

this

pronoun
\ ˈt͟his How to pronounce this (audio) \
plural these\ ˈt͟hēz \

Kids Definition of this

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : the one nearer I believe this is your book and that is mine.
2 : the person, thing, or idea that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned This is where it happened. This is your last chance.

this

adjective
plural these

Kids Definition of this (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : being the one present, near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned this morning We've been friends all these years.
2 : being the one nearer Are you reading this book or that one?

this

adverb
\ ˈt͟his How to pronounce this (audio) \

Kids Definition of this (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : to the degree suggested by something in the present situation I didn't expect to wait this long.
2 : to the extent shown (as with the hands) I need a nail this long.

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More from Merriam-Webster on this

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with this

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for this

Spanish Central: Translation of this

Nglish: Translation of this for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of this for Arabic Speakers

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