This
Pronunciation
- enPR: thÄs, IPA: /ðɪs/
- Rhymes: -ɪs
- (NZ) Homophones: thus
Origin
Middle English, from Old English þis (neuter demonstrative), from North Sea Germanic base *þa- (""), from Proto-Germanic *þat, from Proto-Indo-European *tód, extended form of demonstrative base *to-; + North Sea Germanic definitive suffix -s, from Proto-Indo-European *só ("this, that").
Determiner
- The (thing) here used in indicating something or someone nearby.This classroom is where I learned to read and write.
- 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: “…â€
- 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.
- (Of a unit of time) which is current.It snowed this week.
Derived terms
Full definition of this
Adverb
this
- To the degree or extent indicated.I need this much water.We've already come this far, we can't turn back now.
Pronoun
this
(plural - these)- The thing, item, etc. being indicated.This is the excellent foppery of the world, that, when we are sick in fortune,—often the surfeit of our own behaviour,—we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars... — Shakespeare, King Lear, Act 1. Scene 2.