it

it · pronoun neuter

imported

Definitions

pronoun

  1. 1.

    Used to refer to a thing previously mentioned or easily identified.

  2. 2.

    Used to refer to an animal or baby whose sex is unknown or unimportant.

  3. 3.

    Used as a subject of impersonal verbs.

  4. 4.

    Used to identify a person.

  5. 5.

    Used as a dummy subject before certain verbs.

  6. 6.

    Used to represent a situation or fact.

  7. 7.

    Used in children's games as the person who must catch others.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    that's it — that's the end; that's correct
  • •
    this is it — the crucial moment has arrived
  • •
    call it a day — stop work for the day
  • •
    have it in for — bear a grudge against
  • •
    make it — succeed; arrive on time

Related words

See also: its, itself, that, this

Etymology

From Old English "hit" (it), from Proto-Germanic "hit" (this, it), neuter form of "hiz" (he). The initial 'h' was lost in Middle English, resulting in the modern form "it."