English主要词典
in
Universal Words
preposition, adverb, adjective, noun
preposition
HELPNOTE For the special uses of in in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example deal in sth is in the phrasal verb section at deal.
1 at a point within an area or a space:
a country in Africa * The kids were playing in the street. * It's in that drawer. * I read about it in the paper.
2 within the shape of sth; surrounded by sth:
She was lying in bed. * sitting in an armchair * Leave the key in the lock. * Soak it in cold water.
3 into sth:
He dipped his brush in the paint. * She got in her car and drove off.
4 forming the whole or part of sth/sb; contained within sth/sb:
There are 31 days in May. * all the paintings in the collection * I recognize his father in him (= his character is similar to his father's).
5 during a period of time:
in 2005 * in the 18th century * in spring / summer / autumn / winter * in the fall * in March * in the morning / afternoon / evening * I'm getting forgetful in my old age.
6 after a particular length of time:
to return in a few minutes / hours / days / months. * It will be ready in a week's time (= one week from now). * She learnt to drive in three weeks (= after three weeks she could drive).
7 (used in negative sentences or after first, last, etc.) for a particular period of time:
I haven't seen him in years. * It's the first letter I've had in ten days.
8 wearing sth:
dressed in their best clothes * the man in the hat * to be in uniform / disguise * She was all in black.
9 used to describe physical surroundings:
We went out in the rain. * He was sitting alone in the darkness.
10 used to show a state or condition:
I'm in love! * The house is in good repair. * I must put my affairs in order. * a man in his thirties * The daffodils were in full bloom.
11 involved in sth; taking part in sth:
to act in a play
12 used to show sb's job or profession:
He is in the army. * She's in computers. * in business / politics
13 used to show the form, shape, arrangement or quantity of sth:
a novel in three parts * Roll it up in a ball. * They sat in rows. * People flocked in their thousands to see her.
14 used to show the language, material, etc. used:
Say it in English. * She wrote in pencil. * Put it in writing. * I paid in cash. * He spoke in a loud voice.
15 concerning sth:
She was not lacking in courage. * a country rich in minerals * three metres in length
16 while doing sth; while sth is happening:
In attempting to save the child from drowning, she nearly lost her own life. * In all the commotion I forgot to tell him the news.
17 used to introduce the name of a person who has a particular quality:
We're losing a first-rate editor in Kathy.
18 used to show a rate or relative amount:
a gradient of one in five * a tax rate of 22 pence in the pound
IDIOMS
in that (written) for the reason that; because:
She was fortunate in that she had friends to help her.
adverb
HELPNOTE For the special uses of in in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example fill in (for sb) is in the phrasal verb section at fill.
1 contained within an object, an area or a substance:
We were locked in. * I can't drink coffee with milk in.
2 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.
3 (of people) at home or at a place of work:
Nobody was in when we called.
OPPOUT
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?
7 elected:
Several new Labour councillors got in at the last election.
8 (in cricket, baseball, etc.) if a team or team member is in, they are BATTING:
England were in first.
9 (in tennis, etc.) if the ball is in, it has landed inside the line:
Her serve was just in.
IDIOMS
be in at sth to be present when sth happens:
They were in at the start.
be in for sth (informal) to be going to experience sth soon, especially sth unpleasant:
He's in for a shock! * I'm afraid we're in for a storm.
be / get in on sth (informal) to be/become involved in sth; to share or know about sth:
I'd like to be in on the plan. * Is she in on the secret?
be (well) in with sb (informal) to be (very) friendly with sb, and likely to get an advantage from the friendship
in and out (of sth) going regularly to a place:
He was in and out of jail for most of his life.
adjective [usuallybeforenoun] (informal) popular and fashionable:
Purple is the in colour this spring. * Exotic pets are the in thing right now. * Short skirts are in again.
seealsoIN-JOKE
noun
IDIOMS
the ins and outs (of sth) all the details, especially the complicated or difficult ones:
the ins and outs of the problem * He quickly learned the ins and outs of the job.
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