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this

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adverb, determiner, pronoun British English pronunciation: this /ðɪs/
This can be used in the following ways:
as a determiner (followed by a noun): He gave me this diamond ring.
as a demonstrative pronoun (without a following noun): This is the photograph you asked for.
as an adverb (before an adjective, adverb, or 'much'): It's a long time since I felt this good.
 
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    plural these
    used when you are referring to a particular person, thing, fact etc that has just been mentioned, or when it is obvious which one you are referring to

    Sometimes there's flooding, and this is why no one wants to live here.

    Based on Edith Wharton's novel, this latest film stars Gillian Anderson.

    Robbery, rape, drug dealing – these are just some of the crimes that are on the increase.

  2. 2
    mainly spoken used for referring to the particular thing that you are going to talk about

    Now, this is what I want you to do, so listen carefully.

  3. 3
    plural these
    the one that is here
    1. a.
      used for referring to something that you are wearing, holding, or showing

      I've brought this book to show you.

      I bought these shoes in Italy.

    2. b.
      used for referring to the place that you are in

      This large room where we're standing now is the banqueting hall.

      This is where I catch the bus.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of this
    3. c.
      used for referring to the thing that is nearest to you, especially when you are pointing to it

      This is my towel and that's yours.

      These oranges are really expensive.

  4. 4
    plural these
    the present one
    1. a.
      used for referring to the present time

      I don't get much spare time these days.

      Why haven't you phoned me before this?

      I'm going to be away the whole of this week.

      this morning/afternoon/evening (=the morning/afternoon/evening of today):

      Benson was late again this morning.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of this
    2. b.
      plural these
      used for referring to something that is happening or to something that you are doing

      Is this your first visit to Ireland?

      In this chapter I will discuss the development of the market economy.

    3. c.
      used before the name of a particular day, month, season etc to mean the one that will come next

      Are we going to have enough fuel this winter?

  5. 5
    plural these
    used when you are introducing someone

    This is our new secretary, Veronica Taylor.

    These are my friends Claudia and Jack.

  6. 6
    used when you are saying who you are in a telephone conversation or on the radio or television

    Hello, this is Kim Riley speaking.

    This is the BBC World Service broadcasting from London.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of this
  7. 7
    [often in negatives] spoken so, or to such a degree
    this good/much/far etc:

    When you've come this far, you don't think of turning back.

    I haven't had this much fun since I was a kid.

    as good/cold/expensive etc as this:

    It was cold in Toronto, but it wasn't as cold as this.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of this
  8. 8
    spoken used when you use your hands to show how big something is or how much of it there is

    The grass was this high.

    There's only about this much wine left in the bottle.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of this
  9. 9
    plural these
    spoken used in a story or a joke when you mention a person or thing without giving a name

    There was this big guy standing in the doorway.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of this

phrases

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

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View the pronunciation for this.

 

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