It

Meaning

The third-person singular neuter personal pronoun used to refer to an inanimate object, abstract entity, or non-human living thing..

Definitions by Sense

1. The third-person singular neuter personal pronoun used to refer to an inanimate object, abstract entity, or non-human living thing.
2. A third-person singular personal pronoun used to refer to a baby or child, especially of unknown gender.
3. (rare) A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an unspecified person.
4. (obsolete) An affectionate third-person singular personal pronoun.
5. (chiefly derogatory, offensive) A third-person singular personal pronoun used to refer to an animate referent who is transgender or non-binary.
6. Refers to someone being identified, often on the phone, but not limited to this situation.
7. The impersonal pronoun, used without referent as the subject of an impersonal verb or statement (known as the dummy pronoun, dummy it or weather it).
8. The impersonal pronoun, used without referent, or with unstated but contextually implied referent, in various short idioms or expressions.

Example Sentences

Take this book and put it on the shelf.

Take each day as it comes.

I found a poor little cat. It seems to be half starving.

It is not a pen. It is a book.

The Nansi District was formerly known as the "Jiaba Community", and was one of the early territories of the Taivoan, as well as where the Zou resided. Later, due to the invasion of the Siraya tribe, the community members later migrated out to regions such as Gongguan, Paoziliao (Kaohsiung County), and Daciouyuan. During the time of the Japanese occupation, because of its location at the west of the "Nanzihsian River", it was therefore renamed Nansi ("si" meaning "west"). A village and village hall were established here, under the governance of Sinhua District of Tainan Province. After the war in 1945, it was renamed Nansi Township, and was changed to Nansi District after the merging of Tainan City and County on December 25th, 2010.

She took the baby and held it in her arms.

A child cannot quarrel with its elders, as I had done; cannot give its furious feelings uncontrolled play, as I had given mine, without experiencing afterwards the pang of remorse and the chill of reaction.

I could only encourage Mrs. Clements to speak next of Anne's early days […] "There was nobody else, sir, to take the little helpless creature in hand," replied Mrs. Clements. "The wicked mother seemed to hate it—as if the poor baby was in fault!—from the day it was born. My heart was heavy for the child, and I made the offer to bring it up as tenderly as if it was my own." "Did Anne remain entirely under your care from that time?" "Not quite entirely, sir. Mrs. Catherick had her whims and fancies about it at times, and used now and then to lay claim to the child, as if she wanted to spite me for bringing it up.

Word Forms

• it
• itself
• its
• his
• they
• them
• hit
• i'
• itt
• 't

Related Words

When Should You Use It?

Use it when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions