in

in · preposition

imported

Definitions

preposition

  1. 1.

    Expressing location or position within something.

  2. 2.

    Expressing a period of time during which something happens.

  3. 3.

    Expressing a state or condition.

  4. 4.

    Expressing inclusion or involvement.

  5. 5.

    Expressing movement with the result that someone or something is enclosed.

  6. 6.

    Present at one's place of work.

  7. 7.

    (informal) Fashionable.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    in and out — entering and leaving repeatedly
  • •
    in for — about to experience (often something bad)
  • •
    in on — informed about; participating in
  • •
    ins and outs — the details
  • •
    in that — for the reason that

Related words

Antonyms: out, outside
See also: inside, into, out, within
Synonyms: during, inside, within

Etymology

From Old English "in" (in, into, at), from Proto-Germanic "in," from Proto-Indo-European "en" (in). One of the most ancient and stable words in English, cognate with virtually all Indo-European languages: Latin "in," Greek "en," German "in."