this

[this]

pronoun

plural

these 

1. (used to indicate a person, thing, idea, state, event, time, remark, etc., as present, near, just mentioned or pointed out, supposed to be understood, or by way of emphasis).

   This is my coat.

2. (used to indicate one of two or more persons, things, etc., referring to the one nearer in place, time, or thought; opposed tothat ).

   This is Liza and that is Amy.

3. (used to indicate one of two or more persons, things, etc., implying a contrast or contradistinction; opposed tothat ).

   I'd take that instead of this.

4. what is about to follow.

   Now hear this!

   Watch this!

adjective

plural

these 

1. (used to indicate a person, place, thing, or degree as present, near, just indicated or mentioned, or as well-known or characteristic).

   These people are my friends.

   This problem has worried me for a long time.

2. (used to indicate the nearer in time, place, or thought of two persons, things, etc.; opposed tothat. )

3. (used to imply mere contradistinction; opposed tothat. )

4. (used in place of an indefinite article for emphasis).

   I was walking down the street when I heard this explosion.

adverb

1. (used with adjectives and adverbs of quantity or extent) to the extent or degree indicated.

   this far;

   this softly.

this

/ ðɪs /

determiner

1. 1. used preceding a noun referring to something or someone that is closer: distinct from that

      this dress is cheaper than that one

      look at this picture

   2. ( as pronoun )

      this is Mary and that is her boyfriend

      take this

2. 1. used preceding a noun that has just been mentioned or is understood

      this plan of yours won't work

   2. ( as pronoun )

      I first saw this on Sunday

3. 1. used to refer to something about to be said, read, etc

      consider this argument

   2. ( as pronoun )

      listen to this

4. 1. the present or immediate

      this time you'll know better

   2. ( as pronoun )

      before this, I was mistaken

5. informal,  often used in storytelling, an emphatic form of a 1 the 1

   I saw this big brown bear

6. various unspecified and trivial actions, matters, objects, etc

7. not_standard,  an emphatic form of this this this

8. after this; thereupon

adverb

1. used with adjectives and adverbs to specify a precise degree that is about to be mentioned

   go just this fast and you'll be safe

Word History and Origins

Origin of this¹

First recorded before 900; (pronoun and adjective) Middle English; Old English: nominative and accusative neuter singular of the demonstrative pronoun thes (masculine), thēos (feminine); cognate with German dies, Old Norse thissi; (adverb) Middle English, special use of the Old English instrumental singular thȳs, thīs, accusative singular neuter this, perhaps by association with thus

Word History and Origins

Origin of this¹

Old English thēs, thēos, this (masculine, feminine, neuter singular); related to Old Saxon thit, Old High German diz , Old Norse thessi

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. with this, following this; hereupon.

   With this, he threw down his glass and left the table.

More idioms and phrases containing this

• at this point
• at this rate
• at this stage
• from this day forward
• in this day and age
• out of this world
• shuffle off (this mortal coil)

Example Sentences

Oh, my God, this is so hard — I can’t take another step.

From Los Angeles Times

“I would look at him,” she said, “and I would say, ‘I would do this all over again.’

From Los Angeles Times

I would look at him and I would say, ‘This sucks,’ and ‘This is scary,’ but if you asked me, if this was gonna be my fate, I would do it all over again.”

From Los Angeles Times

Phil this weekend for several performances of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony.

From Los Angeles Times

“I remember staring out the window, and I’m like, ‘Oh, my God,’ it’s like this crazy, full-circle moment,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• that