TOP

Definition of in adverb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

in

adverb
 
 
/ɪn/
 
/ɪn/
For the special uses of in in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example fill in (for somebody) is in the phrasal verb section at fill.Idioms
jump to other results
  1.  
     into an object, an area or a substance
    • She opened the door and went in.
    • The kids were playing by the river and one of them fell in.
    opposite out (1)
  2.  
     contained within an object, an area or a substance
    • We were locked in.
    • I can't drink coffee with milk in.
  3.  
     (of people) at home or at a place of work
    • Nobody was in when we called.
    • I didn't hear you come in.
    opposite out (2)
  4.  
     (of trains, buses, etc.) at the place where people can get on or off, for example the station
    • The bus is due in (= it should arrive) at six.
  5.  
     (of letters, etc.) received
    • Applications must be in by April 30.
  6.  
     (of the tide) at or towards its highest point on land
    • Is the tide coming in or going out?
    opposite out (17)
  7. elected
    • Several new councillors got in at the last election.
  8. (in cricket, baseball, etc.) if a team or team member is in, they are batting opposite out (20)Topics Sports: ball and racket sportsc2
  9. (in tennis, etc.) if the ball is in, it has landed inside the line
    • Her serve was just in.
    • The ball landed in.
    opposite out (22)Topics Sports: ball and racket sportsa2
    10. Word OriginOld English in (preposition), inn, inne (adverb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German in (preposition), German ein (adverb), from an Indo-European root shared by Latin in and Greek en.
Idioms
be in at something
  1. to be present when something happens
    • They were in at the start.
be in for something
  1. (informal) to be going to experience something soon, especially something unpleasant
    • He's in for a shock!
    • I'm afraid we're in for a storm.
be/get in on something
  1. (informal) to be/become involved in something; to share or know about something
    • I'd like to be in on the plan.
    • Is she in on the secret?
be (well) in with somebody
  1. (informal) to be (very) friendly with somebody, and likely to get an advantage from the friendship
in and out (of something)
  1. going regularly to a place
    • He was in and out of jail for most of his life.
See in in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee in in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: in

Nearby words

previously
adverb
 
 
From the Word list
Oxford 3000
B1
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day