in

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   currently fashionable

   the in thing to do

2. 2
   prep

   Used to indicate location, inclusion, or position within spatial, temporal or abstract limits.

   The dog is in the kennel.

3. 3
   prep

   Into.

   Less water gets in your boots this way.

4. 4
   prep

   By (doing something); indicating action causing an effect or achieving a purpose.

   In replacing the faucet washers, he felt he was making his contribution to the environment.

5. 5
   prep

   Indicating an order or arrangement.

   My fat rolls around in folds.

6. 6
   prep

   Denoting a state of the subject.

   He stalked away in anger.

7. 7
   prep

   Indicates, connotatively, a place-like form of someone's (or something's) personality, as his, her or its psychic and physical characteristics.

   You've got a friend in me.

8. 8
   prep

   Pertaining to; with regard to.

   There has been no change in his condition.

Etymology

PIE word *h₁en Preposition and verb from Middle English in, from Old English in, from Proto-Germanic *in. Adverb, noun and adjective from Middle English in, from Old English inn and inne, from Proto-Germanic *innai. Sense 1/2 "in"/"into" are from the original PIE prefix, with locative/accusative case respectively. Sense 3/4 "qualification"/"means" are from the PIE metaphor of all infinitives coming from locatives.