/ ðɪs; NAmE / determiner , pronoun , adverb
■ determiner , pronoun ( pl. these / ðiːz; NAmE /)
1.
used to refer to a particular person, thing or event that is close to you, especially compared with another :
How long have you been living in this country?
Well, make up your mind. Which do you want? This one or that one?
I think you'll find these more comfortable than those.
Is this your bag?
2.
used to refer to sth/sb that has already been mentioned :
There was a court case resulting from this incident.
The boy was afraid and the dog had sensed this.
What's this I hear about you getting married?
3.
used for introducing sb or showing sth to sb :
Hello, this is Maria Diaz (= on the telephone) .
Jo, this is Kate (= when you are introducing them) .
This is the captain speaking.
Listen to this.
Do it like this (= in the way I am showing you) .
4.
used with periods of time related to the present :
this week / month / year
I saw her this morning (= today in the morning) .
Do you want me to come this Tuesday (= Tuesday of this week) or next Tuesday?
Do it this minute (= now) .
He never comes to see me these days (= now, as compared with the past) .
5.
this sth of sb's ( informal ) used to refer to sb/sth that is connected with a person, especially when you have a particular attitude towards it or them :
These new friends of hers are supposed to be very rich.
6.
( informal ) used when you are telling a story or telling sb about sth :
There was this strange man sitting next to me on the plane.
I've been getting these pains in my chest.
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IDIOMS
- this and that | this, that and the other
■ adverb
to this degree; so :
It's about this high (= as high as I am showing you with my hands) .
I didn't think we'd get this far.
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English , neuter of thes , of West Germanic origin; related to that and the .