Is

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ɪz/
• Rhymes: -ɪz

Alternative forms

• 's

Origin

From Middle English, from Old English is, from Proto-Germanic *isti, a form of Proto-Germanic *wesaną ("to be"), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁ésti ("is"). Cognate with West Frisian is ("is"), Dutch is ("is"), German ist ("is"), Old Swedish is ("is").

The paradigm of "to be" has been since the time of Proto-Germanic a synthesis of four originally distinct verb stems. The infinitive form "to be" is from *bʰuH- ("to become"). The forms is and am are derived from *h₁es- ("to be") whereas the form are comes from *iraną ("to rise, be quick, become active"). Lastly, the past forms starting with "w-" such as was and were are from *h₂wes- ("to reside").

Verb

1. is

   (third-person singular of be)
   He is a doctor. He retired some time ago.Should he do the task, it is vital that you follow him.It all depends on what the meaning of is is. - Bill Clinton
2. (colloquial, nonstandard) Conjugation of be

Anagrams

• si, Si, SI