plural these
ˈt͟hēz 
1
a(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
2
a
: the one nearer or more immediately under observation or discussion
this is iron and that is tin
b
: the one more recently referred to
plural these
1
a
: 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 in
had this urge to go shopping
2
: being the nearer at hand or more immediately under observation or discussion
this car or that one
: to the degree or extent indicated by something in the immediate context or situation
didn't expect to wait this long
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, 9 June 2025
For a game this spectacular in a series this good to come down to an own goal doesn’t seem right, but this matchup — a true clash of titans in the first round — had to go seven games.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 2 May 2025
It’s been about a half-decade since the Cubs entered the season feeling this confident that the playoffs were likely.
—Sahadev Sharma, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Especially with a starring role this attractive to performers, there’s no question this play will have a future.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for this
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adverb
New York — Downtown this far, the city doesn’t fully resemble the New York of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Empire State Building.
—Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, 9 June 2025
For a game this spectacular in a series this good to come down to an own goal doesn’t seem right, but this matchup — a true clash of titans in the first round — had to go seven games.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 2 May 2025
It’s been about a half-decade since the Cubs entered the season feeling this confident that the playoffs were likely.
—Sahadev Sharma, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Especially with a starring role this attractive to performers, there’s no question this play will have a future.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for this
Cite this Entry
“This.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/this. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
this
2 of 3 adjective
plural these
1
: being the one that is present or near in place, time, or thought or that has just been mentioned
this book is mine
early this morning
friends all these years
2
: the nearer at hand
this car or that one
I like these colors better than those
this
3 of 3 adverb
: to the degree suggested by something in the present situation
didn't expect to wait this long
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