into

preposition

in·​to ˈin-(ˌ)tü How to pronounce into (audio)
-tə
1
used as a function word to indicate entry, introduction, insertion, superposition, or inclusion
came into the houseenter 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

Example Sentences

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web The journalists are posted about frequently and are turned into characters on the internet. Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2023 Model, designer, and creative Ella Emhoff has turned her knitting passion into a blossoming business. André-naquian Wheeler, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2023 The film also highlights the regular everyday people of Ukraine, women and men turned overnight — and with little to no training — into combat soldiers. Malina Saval, Variety, 13 Feb. 2023 And that raised the ante – and snapped the Heat’s home streak – in what turned into a 112-108 loss. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2023 Thumb sucking was a coping mechanism that turned into a full-on habit in my youth. Jennet Jusu, Allure, 13 Feb. 2023 Lerner and his son, Mark, led the group that spent $450 million in 2006 to buy the Expos franchise from the temporary custody of the league’s other owners and turned it into the Washington Nationals. Laurence Arnold, Bloomberg.com, 13 Feb. 2023 Patrick Mahomes shook off an ankle injury, turned back into a magician and pulled out another comeback on the biggest stage to help the Kansas City Chiefs win their second Super Bowl in four years. Rob Maaddi, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2023 Patrick Mahomes shook off an ankle injury, turned back into a magician and pulled out another comeback on the biggest stage to help the Kansas City Chiefs win their second Super Bowl in four years. Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'into.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of into was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near into

Cite this Entry

“Into.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/into. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

into

preposition
in·​to ˈin-tə How to pronounce into (audio)
-tü
1
used to indicate entry, introduction, or inclusion
came into the roomenter 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

More from Merriam-Webster on into

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