Definitions

it

[it] / ɪt /

Part of Speech:

All (3) Pronoun (2) Noun (1)

Jump To:

nominative singular pronoun pron.
objective singular pronoun pron.
sex appeal n.

PRONOUN

nominative singular pronoun

Synonyms

STRONGEST

I he she sie they ve xe you ze zie

PRONOUN

objective singular pronoun

Synonyms

WEAK

her him hir me them ver xem you zir

NOUN

sex appeal

Synonyms

STRONGEST

animal magnetism sex appeal

STRONG

attraction charisma charm

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for it?

The pronoun it is commonly used to refer to something without naming it. The plural pronoun they can be used to refer to multiple things in this way, as can the object form them. The word it is sometimes used to refer to an animal, and in some cases it can refer to an unknown person, such as when someone knocks on the door and you ask “Who is it?” (Otherwise, though, referring to a person as it for any reason is extremely offensive.) Most commonly, it is used to refer to things. Like the word thing, the word it is usually the one being used in place of a more specific word. But there are other general terms you can use instead. It can refer to anything—it can refer to physical objects or articles but also to nonphysical entities. The word item can be used for tangible things (as in That item is sold out) or intangible ones (as in Let’s save that item for the next agenda). The words this and that can be used in place of it when referring to something that’s near, understood, or previously mentioned or indicated. They can also be used for emphasis. For example, instead of asking “What is it?” about some unidentifiable thing, you could ask “What is that?” It is also very commonly used to introduce sentences that use a form of the verb be, especially statements about time (as in It’s five o’clock), distance (as in It is five miles away), or the weather (as in It was raining this morning). It is also commonly used in many similar constructions (such as in phrases like How’s it going? or Where does it hurt?). All of these can often be reworded to avoid using it, as in The time is five o’clock or There was rain this morning. However, constructions using it are often the most natural-sounding. It is also used in some more specific ways. In the children’s game of tag, the word it is used to refer to the person designated as the tagger, as in Tag, you’re it! When a person is said to have “it,” this means that they possess some unique characteristic (often charisma)—sometimes known as the it factor. A girl (or, more often, a woman) who is newly popular in a certain arena might be called the it girl, as in She’s the new it girl in fashion. When capitalized, IT is a common abbreviation for information technology, which is sometimes also shortened as infotech. Another name for the IT department is the tech department.

Is it a pronoun?

Yes, it is a pronoun. The singular subject (nominative) and object form are both it. However, the plural subject form is they and the plural object form is them. The possessive form is its.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

it they them its their theirs

But he kept the belief, and in Baku it all came together.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

When they do it now, however, they are often no longer viewed as people with a shared history who disagree, experts say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

Russell knew it was a golden opportunity to make up ground.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

“Young adults consider ordinary conflict to be much worse than it once was,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

To catch it, you must be part of the 5 percent of the population without immunity, and you must be in prolonged physical contact with someone who is sick.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

McDaniel added that he and Herbert are “much closer” than they were two weeks ago as they work through the offensive struggles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026

An American official described this week’s mediated discussions as “positive and constructive,” while Iranian officials said Saturday they were awaiting an official U.S. response.

From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026

The Black Ferns have beaten the Red Roses in all five World Cup final meetings they have contested.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

Proponents hold that estrangement is being destigmatized, not necessarily happening more often, and that it can be needed and healing for adult children to cut off parents they deem harmful.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

Cynthia was able to visit her mother before she died, but they never truly reconnected.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

‘The Deb’ producers have sued Rebel Wilson for defamation after she called them out, accusing them of retaliating and trying to destroy her directorial debut.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026

It would provide them with a loan worth 20% of their new build property's value to help pay for the purchase.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

Matthias Barker, a psychotherapist who founded Estrangement.com, a paid-membership support group, has 4.2 million followers combined on Instagram and TikTok, all of them new since 2020, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

Seiler placed them in a semi-sealed steel container with very little oxygen and heated them in a high-temperature furnace in his home laboratory.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 26, 2026

Dr. Harlow notes her description of how Phineas would entertain them "with the most fabulous recitals of his wonderful feats and hairbreadth escapes, without any foundation except in his fancy."

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important energy corridors, and its closure during the war has disrupted global oil shipments and contributed to higher energy prices.

From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026

NWS said in its alert: "Prepare immediately for significant inundation in low-lying areas near the shore, including roads underwater and impacts to homes and businesses."

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

Claude, Anthropic’s chatbot, took over one writer’s vacation with his parents, prompting broader questions about its use..

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

Paramount’s settlement to clear the path for its Warner Bros.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026

Remember that hard work breeds good luck, and laziness its opposite.

From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios

The Chargers and their turbulent offense are on the verge of starting 0-3 for the first time since 2017.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026

"The safety of our staff, our members and their guests will always come first," a spokesperson for the club said.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

Adults share personal stories about how cutting off their parents has improved their mental health.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

Justin Herbert is prioritizing on-field execution as the Chargers seek their first win.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026

Many leaflets appeal to the Filipino soldiers’ homesickness by saying that their parents, wives, and loved ones are waiting for them.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Williams was watching the stream on a television as his wife and son were getting ready for bed when a life-changing fortune became theirs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

That’s your issue to grapple with — not theirs.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026

Alysson's header in the 2-1 defeat by Forest was their first goal in the Premier League this term, with Spurs still searching for theirs.

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

And here, Walker and Auen offer theirs, fashioning academia into a key that opens a portal to the past, present and future.

From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2026

The trolley started back up again; the next stop was theirs.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

it

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

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