this.
The (thing) here (used in indicating something or someone nearby).
Meaning & usage
The (thing) here (used in indicating something or someone nearby).
This classroom is where I learned to read and write.
The (thing) here (used in indicating something or someone nearby). Referring to oneself.
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.
The known (thing) (used in indicating something or someone about to be mentioned).
When asked what he wanted for his birthday, he gave this reply: “[…]”
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 ...”.
I met this woman the other day who's allergic to wheat. I didn't even know that was possible!
There's just this nervous mannerism that Bob has with his hands, and it drives me crazy.
Designates the current or next instance.
It's cold this morning.
I plan to go to London this Friday.
Where this word comes from
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *só, *to- Proto-Germanic *sa, *þas Proto-Germanic *-si Proto-Germanic *þassi Proto-West Germanic *þassi Proto-Anglo-Frisian *þēs Old English þes Middle English þis English this From Middle English þis, 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”). Cognate with Scots this (“this”), Saterland Frisian dusse (“this”), West Frisian dizze (“this”), German dies, dieses (“this”), Old Gutnish þissi (“this”).
To the degree or extent indicated.
I need this much water.
Do we need this many recommendations?
Where this word comes from
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *só, *to- Proto-Germanic *sa, *þas Proto-Germanic *-si Proto-Germanic *þassi Proto-West Germanic *þassi Proto-Anglo-Frisian *þēs Old English þes Middle English þis English this From Middle English þis, 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”). Cognate with Scots this (“this”), Saterland Frisian dusse (“this”), West Frisian dizze (“this”), German dies, dieses (“this”), Old Gutnish þissi (“this”).
The thing, item, etc. being indicated.
This isn't the item that I ordered.
Where this word comes from
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *só, *to- Proto-Germanic *sa, *þas Proto-Germanic *-si Proto-Germanic *þassi Proto-West Germanic *þassi Proto-Anglo-Frisian *þēs Old English þes Middle English þis English this From Middle English þis, 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”). Cognate with Scots this (“this”), Saterland Frisian dusse (“this”), West Frisian dizze (“this”), German dies, dieses (“this”), Old Gutnish þissi (“this”).
Something being indicated that is here; one of these.
Where this word comes from
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *só, *to- Proto-Germanic *sa, *þas Proto-Germanic *-si Proto-Germanic *þassi Proto-West Germanic *þassi Proto-Anglo-Frisian *þēs Old English þes Middle English þis English this From Middle English þis, 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”). Cognate with Scots this (“this”), Saterland Frisian dusse (“this”), West Frisian dizze (“this”), German dies, dieses (“this”), Old Gutnish þissi (“this”).
Indicates the speaker's strong approval or agreement with the previous material.
― I wish trolls could be banned from the forum immediately, without any discussion. ― This!
Where this word comes from
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *só, *to- Proto-Germanic *sa, *þas Proto-Germanic *-si Proto-Germanic *þassi Proto-West Germanic *þassi Proto-Anglo-Frisian *þēs Old English þes Middle English þis English this From Middle English þis, 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”). Cognate with Scots this (“this”), Saterland Frisian dusse (“this”), West Frisian dizze (“this”), German dies, dieses (“this”), Old Gutnish þissi (“this”).
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Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.
Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.