it1
/ɪt
/pronoun [third person singular]
1Used to refer to a thing previously mentioned or easily identified: a room with two beds in it this approach is refreshing because it breaks down barriers...
- The great thing about an event like this is that it involves people from all walks of life and there is a real sense of camaraderie.
- Mrs. Henderson walked into the room holding a tray with his breakfast on it.
- But one voice truly stood out - and it did not belong to any of the private school pupils in the show.
1.1Referring to an animal or child of unspecified sex: she was holding the baby, cradling it and smiling into its face...
- We are now happily married and already expecting our first child - I hope it will be a girl.
- When the child was a child, it had no opinion about anything.
- Cumbria Police said the sheep appeared to have panicked as the men chased it.
1.2Referring to a fact or situation previously mentioned, known, or happening: stop it, you’re hurting me...
- When the flag is up it means that a minimum inventory standard has been violated and more parts are needed.
- Oh, stop it, I'm blushing.
- It's not news that nitrogen prices are skyrocketing, and your customers will want to know why and what to do about it.
2Used to identify a person: it’s me it’s a boy!...
- From what I gathered, it was his mum on the line, and he seemed really taken aback at what she had to say.
- Was it you who told me the joke?
- Hi, it's me, Mandy, I'm in Italy.
3Used in the normal subject position in statements about time, distance, or weather: it’s half past five it was two miles to the island it’s raining...
- When it gets cold in Chicago, the snow way up to my knees, I still wear my sandals.
- It was now past ten o'clock.
- I hear it might snow tonight.
4Used in the normal subject or object position when a more specific subject or object is given later in the sentence: it is impossible to assess the problem she found it interesting to learn about their strategy...
- At the time, he found it frustrating that he could not figure out the right questions to ask.
- Does it matter what they think?
- It's difficult to absorb the costs and remain competitive.
5 [with clause] Used to emphasize a following part of a sentence: it is the child who is the victim...
- So the problem isn't that these things are unoriginal: it's that they're perceived as being original when they're not.
- It is the commander who is the first to take the blame for accidents.
- It wasn't until that moment that I realised we had nothing left apart from the clothes we stood up in.
6The situation or circumstances; things in general: no one can stay here—it’s too dangerous now he would like to see you straight away if it’s convenient...
- At other top clubs at the time, players often liked to enjoy themselves with a couple of beers when it was appropriate.
- We will not move in until it is safe.
- Washington is a good place, I like it there, but I really, really like to be in Texas.
7Exactly what is needed or desired: they thought they were it you’ve either got it or you haven’t...
- Then we looked at Tim's original movie and thought, that's it.
- Bands either have it or they don't.
- He says that when he saw Wood's acting clips, he knew she was it.
8 (usually ‘it’) informal Sexual intercourse or sex appeal: the only thing I knew nothing about was ‘it’...
- She did it with a boy when she was in high school.
- There has been an increase in amateur porn where real people do it for the cameras and beam their digital selves across the world via the Internet.
- I talk more about naughty stuff when I'm not getting it.
9 [attributive] (It) informal Denoting a person or thing that is exceptionally fashionable, popular, or successful at a particular time: they were Hollywood’s It couple the company is renting out the It bags of the moment for as little as £10 a week...
- With a mere 12 songs to the band's credit, the New York City garage rock quintet became the It band du jour following the 2001 release of Is This It.
- If the magazine isn't waxing lyrical about 'new boho' accessories, the new Fendi it bag or raffia accessories, it's asking 'Can you think yourself thin?'
- The company president predicted that the bags would all 'sell like hot cakes', nevertheless, fashion followers agreed there was to be no single it bag.
After It girl
10 (usually ‘it’) (In children’s games) the player who has to catch the others.Elly tagged Karina and ran off, ‘you're it.’
Phrases
at it
that's it
this is it
Origin
Old English hit, neuter of he, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch het.
Rhymes
it2
/ɪt/noun [mass noun] British informal, dated
Italian vermouth: he poured a gin and it...
- The lady was doubtful, but at last decided on Guinness, and the gentleman wanted a gin and it.
- I thought I'd been the perfect hostess till one of the dowagers asked for ‘gin and it.’
Origin
1930s: abbreviation.
IT3
/ʌɪˈtiː/noun [mass noun]
Short for information technology. the development and use of IT are certain to bring about changes in education [as modifier]: basic IT skills