the.

Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun The definite grammatical article that shows that the noun phrase that immediately follows it is definitely identifiable... ...because it has already been mentioned, is to be completely specified in the same sentence, or very shortly thereafter.

Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun The definite grammatical article that shows that the noun phrase that immediately follows it is definitely identifiable... ...because it is presumed to be definitely known in context or from shared knowledge. Used before a noun designating something considered to be unique, or of which there is only one at a time.

Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun The definite grammatical article that shows that the noun phrase that immediately follows it is definitely identifiable... ...because it is presumed to be definitely known in context or from shared knowledge. Used to indicate a certain example of (a noun) which is usually of most concern or most common or familiar.

Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun The definite grammatical article that shows that the noun phrase that immediately follows it is definitely identifiable... ...because it is presumed to be definitely known in context or from shared knowledge. Used before a body part, a family member, a pet (especially of someone previously mentioned), as an alternative to a possessive pronoun.

Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun The definite grammatical article that shows that the noun phrase that immediately follows it is definitely identifiable... ...because it is presumed to be definitely known in context or from shared knowledge. Precedes a familiar nickname or other term of address.

How's the Sal today?

Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun The definite grammatical article that shows that the noun phrase that immediately follows it is definitely identifiable... ...because it is presumed to be definitely known in context or from shared knowledge. Used in many idiomatic expressions and proverbs to refer to common objects, roles, or situations connected with something definite, in the manner of an analogy.

Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun When stressed, indicates that it describes something which is considered to be best or exclusively worthy of attention.

Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun When stressed, used before the name of a famous person, to distinguish said person from a hypothetical lesser-known person with the same name.

Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun Used before a noun phrase beginning with superlative or comparative adjective or an ordinal number, indicating that the noun refers to a single item.

That was the juiciest apple pie ever.

May the better man win.

Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun Introducing a singular term to be taken generically: preceding a name of something standing for a whole class.

Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun Used with the plural of a surname to indicate the entire family.

Used with an adjective Added to a superlative or an ordinal number to make it into a substantive.

Used with an adjective Used before an adjective, indicating all things (especially persons) described by that adjective.

Used with an adjective Used before a demonym ending in -ish or -ese to refer to people of a given country collectively.

With a comparative or with more and a verb phrase, establishes a correlation with one or more other such comparatives.

The more I think about it, the weaker it looks.

The more money donated, the more books purchased, and the more happy children.

With a comparative, and often with for it, indicates a result more like said comparative. This can be negated with none.

It was a difficult time, but I’m the wiser for it.

It was a difficult time, and I’m {none - not any} the wiser for it.

Beyond all others.

We went the furthest under her leadership.

They trusted him the most.

For each; per.

valued at half a pound the bushel; paying seven dollars the year interest

Early Modern form of thee.