/ ɪn; NAmE / preposition , adverb , adjective , noun
■ preposition
HELP NOTE : For the special uses of in in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example deal in sth is in the phrasal verb section at deal .
1.
at a point within an area or a space :
a country in Africa
The kids were playing in the street.
It's in that drawer.
I read about it in the paper.
2.
within the shape of sth; surrounded by sth :
She was lying in bed.
sitting in an armchair
Leave the key in the lock.
Soak it in cold water.
3.
into sth :
He dipped his brush in the paint.
She got in her car and drove off.
4.
forming the whole or part of sth/sb; contained within sth/sb :
There are 31 days in May.
all the paintings in the collection
I recognize his father in him (= his character is similar to his father's) .
5.
during a period of time :
in 2005
in the 18th century
in spring / summer / autumn / winter
in the fall
in March
in the morning / afternoon / evening
I'm getting forgetful in my old age.
6.
after a particular length of time :
to return in a few minutes / hours / days / months.
It will be ready in a week's time (= one week from now) .
She learnt to drive in three weeks (= after three weeks she could drive) .
7.
(used in negative sentences or after first , last , etc.) for a particular period of time :
I haven't seen him in years.
It's the first letter I've had in ten days.
8.
wearing sth :
dressed in their best clothes
the man in the hat
to be in uniform
She was all in black.
9.
used to describe physical surroundings :
We went out in the rain.
He was sitting alone in the darkness.
10.
used to show a state or condition :
I'm in love!
The house is in good repair.
I must put my affairs in order.
a man in his thirties
The daffodils were in full bloom.
11.
involved in sth; taking part in sth :
to act in a play
12.
used to show sb's job or profession :
He is in the army.
She's in computers.
in business
13.
used to show the form, shape, arrangement or quantity of sth :
a novel in three parts
Roll it up in a ball.
They sat in rows.
People flocked in their thousands to see her.
14.
used to show the language, material, etc. used :
Say it in English.
She wrote in pencil.
Put it in writing.
I paid in cash.
He spoke in a loud voice.
15.
concerning sth :
She was not lacking in courage.
a country rich in minerals
three metres in length
16.
while doing sth; while sth is happening :
In attempting to save the child from drowning, she nearly lost her own life.
In all the commotion I forgot to tell him the news.
17.
used to introduce the name of a person who has a particular quality :
We're losing a first-rate editor in Jen.
18.
used to show a rate or relative amount :
a gradient of one in five
a tax rate of 22 pence in the pound
•
IDIOMS
- in that
■ adverb
HELP NOTE : For the special uses of in in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example fill in (for sb) is in the phrasal verb section at fill .
1.
contained within an object, an area or a substance :
We were locked in.
I can't drink coffee with milk in.
2.
into an object, an area or a substance :
She opened the door and went in.
The kids were playing by the river and one of them fell in.
3.
( of people ) at home or at a place of work :
Nobody was in when we called.
OPP out
4.
( of trains, buses, etc. ) at the place where people can get on or off, for example the station :
The bus is due in (= it should arrive) at six.
5.
( of letters, etc. ) received :
Applications must be in by April 30.
6.
( of the tide ) at or towards its highest point on land :
Is the tide coming in or going out?
7.
elected :
Several new councillors got in at the last election.
8.
( in cricket , baseball , etc. ) if a team or team member is in , they are batting
9.
( in tennis , etc. ) if the ball is in , it has landed inside the line :
Her serve was just in.
•
IDIOMS
- be in at sth
- be in for sth
- be / get in on sth
- be (well) in with sb
- in and out (of sth)
■ adjective
[ usually before noun ] ( informal ) popular and fashionable :
Purple is the in colour this spring.
Exotic pets are the in thing right now.
Short skirts are in again.
—see also in-joke
■ noun
•
IDIOMS
- an in to sth
- have an in with sb
- the ins and outs (of sth)
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English in (preposition), inn , inne (adverb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German in (preposition), German ein (adverb), from an Indo-European root shared by Latin in and Greek en .