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Definition of this determiner from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

this

determiner, pronoun
 
 
/ðɪs/
 
/ðɪs/
(plural these
 
/ðiːz/
 
/ðiːz/
)
Idioms
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  1.  
     used to refer to a particular person, thing or event that is close to you, especially compared with another
    • How long have you been living in this country?
    • Well, make up your mind. Which do you want? This one or that one?
    • I think you'll find these more comfortable than those.
    • Is this your bag?
  2.  
     used to refer to something/somebody that has already been mentioned
    • There was a court case resulting from this incident.
    • The boy was afraid and the dog had sensed this.
    • What's this I hear about you getting married?
  3.  
     used for introducing somebody/yourself
    • Hello, this is Carlos Diaz (= on the phone).
    • (North American English) Is this Maria? (= on the phone)
    • (British English) Is that Maria?
    • Jo, this is Kate (= when you are introducing them).
    • This is the captain speaking.
  4.  
     used for showing somebody to something or calling somebody's attention to something
    • Do it like this (= in the way I am showing you).
    • Listen to this.
  5.  
     used with periods of time related to the present
    • this week/month/year
    • I saw her this morning (= today in the morning).
    • Do you want me to come this Tuesday (= Tuesday of this week) or next Tuesday?
    • Do it this minute (= now).
    • He never comes to see me these days (= now, as compared with the past).
  6. this something of somebody’s (informal) used to refer to somebody/something that is connected with a person, especially when you have a particular attitude towards it or them
    • These new friends of hers are supposed to be very rich.
  7. (informal) used when you are telling a story or telling somebody about something
    • There was this strange man sitting next to me on the plane.
    • I've been getting these pains in my chest.
    8. Word OriginOld English, neuter of thes, of West Germanic origin; related to that and the.
See this in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee this in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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Nearby words

elaborate
adjective
 
 
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