it
Pronunciation: (it), [key]
— pron., nom. poss. obj. pl. nom. poss. obj. n. it, its it, it they, their theirs, them
—pron.
- (used to represent an inanimate thing understood, previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context): It has whitewall tires and red upholstery. You can't tell a book by its cover.
- (used to represent a person or animal understood, previously mentioned, or about to be mentioned whose gender is unknown or disregarded): It was the largest ever caught off the Florida coast. Who was it? It was John. The horse had its saddle on.
- (used to represent a group understood or previously mentioned): The judge told the jury it must decide two issues.
- (used to represent a concept or abstract idea understood or previously stated): It all started with Adam and Eve. He has been taught to believe it all his life.
- (used to represent an action or activity understood, previously mentioned, or about to be mentioned): Since you don't like it, you don't have to go skiing.
- (used as the impersonal subject of the verb to be, esp. to refer to time, distance, or the weather): It is six o'clock. It is five miles to town. It was foggy.
- (used in statements expressing an action, condition, fact, circumstance, or situation without reference to an agent): If it weren't for Edna, I wouldn't go.
- (used in referring to something as the origin or cause of pain, pleasure, etc.): Where does it hurt? It looks bad for the candidate.
- (used in referring to a source not specifically named or described): It is said that love is blind.
- (used in referring to the general state of affairs; circumstances, fate, or life in general): How's it going with you?
- (used as an anticipatory subject or object to make a sentence more eloquent or suspenseful or to shift emphasis): It is necessary that you do your duty. It was a gun that he was carrying.
- (used instead of the pronoun its before a gerund): It having rained for only one hour didn't help the crops.
—n.
- (in children's games) the player called upon to perform some task, as, in tag, the one who must catch the other players.
-
- sex appeal.
- sexual intercourse.
- to become active or interested: He was warned to get with it or resign.
- She really has it bad for him.
- to love someone:She really has it bad for him.
- to possess the requisite abilities for something; be talented, adept, or proficient:In this business youeither have it or you don't.
- I'm just not with it early in the morning.
- aware of the latest fads, fashions, etc.; up-to-date.
- attentive or alert:I'm just not with it early in the morning.
- understanding or appreciative of something, as jazz.
- Carnival Slang. being a member of the carnival.
it
Pronunciation: (it), [key]
— n. Brit. Informal.
- sweet vermouth: gin and it.
It
- Italian (def. 3).
It.
- Italian.
- Italy.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.