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

Yet it should be a troubling one for the Dodgers, the two-time defending World Series champions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026

"We are concerned that it weakens existing protections for Norfolk's nationally and globally important wildlife sites such as chalk streams, wetlands and valley fens," he added.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

“I didn’t break in, but I broke to the side. And then when I realized, it was too late.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026

“I didn’t think he hit it that good,” Hernández said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026

Like the rest of the Philippines, it has a tropical climate, which brings high temperatures, humidity, and plenty of rainfall.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

No Dodger ranked among the top 16 in the majors in home runs or the top 37 in RBIs, yet they were fourth in runs scored.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026

In recent years, they have campaigned on issues such as votes for 16-year-olds and for free period products to be made available to students.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

When cells lacked this tethering protein, or lacked the specific region that attaches it to the skeleton, they could no longer swallow dead cells.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 5, 2026

The most impressive number the Dodgers put up this season was 100 — the games they won.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026

All day, Phineas must keep an eye on his diggers to make sure they keep up.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman

They were third in the majors in walks and near the bottom in strikeouts, which allowed them to manufacture runs by stringing together long innings rather than relying on the long ball.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026

"Money is tight but you also want young people's opinions; them to tell you what's wrong and the challenges they are facing," she said.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

Among them remain hundreds of photos as well as videos of that dreadful day, a way for him to preserve evidence.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

By recording them before and after exercise, the researchers were able to examine how rapidly the digestive system responded to walking.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 5, 2026

The journey, which brought them through enemy territory, took eleven days.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

But its resources spokesperson, Kelly Parry, said councils were being constrained by funding shortages and rising demand for services.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

Countries like the Philippines, which imports roughly 90% of its fertilizers, are particularly vulnerable.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

Instead, the cell became too stiff and lost its ability to properly remove dying cells.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 5, 2026

Or the justices could narrow them -- allowing Colorado, for example, to apply its state law only to emissions within the state.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

Normally, Pink Floyd’s “Dogs” would be a weird party band choice, but Dog Street divided the rez’s north side from its south.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

And Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell’s short start forfeited their pitching advantage.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026

"Our thoughts are first and foremost with their families, loved ones, friends, and colleagues."

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

Dying cells that remain in tissues can eventually rupture and release their contents, contributing to chronic inflammation.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 5, 2026

The Braves expanded their lead in the seventh inning against hard-throwing right-hander Edgardo Henriquez, who gave up a single to Olson and an RBI double to Harris.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026

Meanwhile, their meager food rations have become increasingly sparse.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

People rarely think about money while sipping piña coladas and sailing to exotic destinations, but cruise-line passengers might have noticed a detail that helps explain how those companies make theirs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 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

On 4 August 170 people had to be rescued after theirs caught fire in the middle of the Channel.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

I don’t have one, and I’d be careful with anyone selling you theirs.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026

Jinjoo’s mother would sometimes show the rings to Jinjoo and her sister, telling them they were theirs as soon as they got married.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

it

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words