into

in-to · preposition

imported

Definitions

preposition

  1. 1.

    Expressing movement or action with the result that something is enclosed or surrounded.

  2. 2.

    Expressing movement toward the inside of something.

  3. 3.

    Indicating transformation or change of state.

  4. 4.

    Expressing division.

  5. 5.

    Expressing the direction of attention or interest.

  6. 6.

    Expressing contact or collision.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    look into — investigate
  • •
    run into — meet by chance; collide with
  • •
    be into — be interested in
  • •
    get into — become involved in; enter
  • •
    break into — forcibly enter
  • •
    talk into — persuade

Related words

Antonyms: out of
See also: in, onto, out of, toward
Synonyms: in, inside, within

Etymology

From Old English "into" (to the inside of), a compound of "in" + "to." The word has remained relatively unchanged since Old English, serving as the primary preposition for movement toward the interior of something.