this
Forms
- Plural
- thises
Definitions
1.To the degree or extent indicated.
- Do we need this many recommendations?
- We've already come this far, we can't turn back now.
- I couldn't garage this big a car; show me something smaller.
1.The (thing) here (used in indicating something or someone nearby).
- This classroom is where I learned to read and write.
- Hey, you know what's got two thumbs and really likes brownies? This guy!
- Right, boys, as much fun as this night has been, this girl is tired, so I'm gonna hit the hay.
2.The known (thing) (used in indicating something or someone just mentioned).
- They give the appearance of knowing what they're doing. It's this appearance that lets them get away with so much.
3.The known (thing) (used in indicating something or someone about to be mentioned).
4.A known (thing) (used in first mentioning a person or thing that the speaker does not think is known to the audience). Compare with "a certain ..".(informal)
- There's just this nervous mannerism that Bob has with his hands, and it drives me crazy.
- I met this woman the other day who's allergic to wheat. I didn't even know that was possible!
1.The thing, item, etc. being indicated.
- This isn't the item that I ordered.
1.Something being indicated that is here; one of these.
- Terms like 'house', 'sphere', 'animal', and 'human' do not refer to other thises distinct from these ones here, they refer to the sort of thing these ones here are.
1.Indicates the speaker's strong approval or agreement with the previous material.
Frequency
Overall
Very common· #19
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Very common
- General reading & writing
- Very common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Uncommon
Etymology
From Middle English this, from Old English þis (neuter demonstrative), from the North Sea Germanic base *þa- (“that”), from Proto-Germanic *þat, from Proto-Indo-European *tód, extended form of demonstrative base *to-; + North-West Germanic definitive suffix *-s, from Proto-Indo-European *só (“this, that”).