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preposition  strong British English pronunciation: from /frɒm/  weak British English pronunciation: from /frəm/
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    used for stating who gives or sends you something or provides you with something

    You'll have to borrow the money from someone else.

    She wanted an apology from the president.

    The watch was a present from his daughter.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
  2. 2
    used for stating someone's/something's origin
    1. a.
      used for stating the place where someone lives or used to live, or their general situation in life

      I'm originally from Northern Ireland.

      Rosie Miller from Stratford, East London, received the award.

      She married a pharmacist who comes from Bolton.

      Those from poor backgrounds should not have to pay.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
    2. b.
      used for stating the place where something was made

      red wine from California

      imports from Japan

      She collects postcards from all over the world.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
    3. c.
      used for stating what something was originally a part of

      the music from Offenbach's opera

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
  3. 3
    starting at a particular point and moving away
    1. a.
      starting at a particular place and moving away

      He's on the 3 o'clock flight from Chicago.

      Start from that tree over there and run to the house.

      from...to:

      We took the train from London to Birmingham.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
    2. b.
      starting at a particular time and continuing
      from...to:

      He's usually in his office from around 9.00 to 6.00.

      She's interested in the period from the early 1940s to now.

      from now/then/that day on:

      From now on things are going to be different around here.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
    3. c.
      starting at a particular age and continuing

      I lived with him from the age of twenty.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
    4. d.
      starting at one amount and increasing or becoming less
      from...to:

      The price of bottled water rose from 20 pence to 45 pence a litre.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
  4. 4
    used for stating where someone or something is removed from
    1. a.
      used for stating where someone or something was before leaving or being removed

      Frank snatched the pen from Rachel.

      Two prisoners have escaped from Durham Jail.

      He took a hammer from his toolbox.

      Remove the pan from the heat.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
    2. b.
      used for stating an amount that is reduced by having part of it taken away

      Several points were taken from the total.

      Seventeen from thirty-six is nineteen.

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  5. 5
    used for saying how far away something is in relation to something else

    We live a few miles from the city.

    We spent the night about eight kilometres from the Uganda-Kenya border.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
  6. 6
    because of something
    1. a.
      as a result of something

      Her hair was still damp from her walk in the rain.

      She's been suffering badly from stress.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
    2. b.
      used for giving the reason for a judgment or opinion

      I can tell from your eyes you're a good man.

      From what I hear, Mr Marlow is not a man to be trusted.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
  7. 7
    used for stating one end of a range of things
    from...to:

    A good camera can cost anything from £150 upwards.

    from...to:

    Evans is charged with offences ranging from burglary to armed assault.

    from...to:

    The company offers a range of products from haircare to footcare.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
  8. 8
    belonging to a particular organization

    a team of experts from the Farm Business Consultancy

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  9. 9
    used for stating where someone was or what they were doing before they came back

    We hardly recognized him when he came back from the war.

    She was injured in a car crash while returning from a dance.

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  10. 10
    used for stating where someone is when they see, hear, or do something

    He works from home three days a week.

    Let's watch the fireworks from the roof.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
  12. 12
    used for stating what something is hanging off or sticking out of

    The room was divided by a blanket hanging from the ceiling.

    Her toe was sticking out from the hole in her shoe.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
  13. 13
    used for stating what someone or something was before changing to something else

    Colesville has changed from a sleepy little town to a bustling city.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
  14. 14
    used for stating what has been prevented or protected against

    Reporters were prevented from visiting the scene of the accident.

    The machine is protected from the weather by a heavy cover.

    His restlessness kept him from sleeping.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from
  15. 15
    used for talking about differences between two or more people or things

    This recipe is different from the one I usually use.

    He should know right from wrong by now.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of from

phrases

This is the British English definition of from. View American English definition of from.

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cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

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dark matter

a substance that scientists think exists out in space, but for which they have no direct proof

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show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

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