if
[ if ]
/ ɪf /
conjunction
noun
a supposition; uncertain possibility: The future is full of ifs.
a condition, requirement, or stipulation: There are too many ifs in his agreement.
Idioms for if
ifs, ands, or buts,
reservations, restrictions, or excuses: I want that job finished today, and no ifs, ands, or buts.
Origin of if
before 900; Middle English, variant of
yif, Old English
gif, gef; akin to Old Norse
ef if, Gothic
ibai whether, Old High German
iba condition, stipulation
SYNONYMS FOR if
1, 2
If,
provided,
providing imply a condition on which something depends.
If is general. It may be used to indicate suppositions or hypothetical conditions (often involving doubt or uncertainty):
If you like, we can go straight home. If I had known, I wouldn't have gone.
If may mean even though:
If I am wrong, you are not right. It may mean whenever:
If I do not understand, I ask questions.
Provided always indicates some stipulation:
I will subscribe ten dollars provided (
on the condition )
that you do, too. Provided he goes, we can go along.
Providing means the same as
provided, that is, just in case some certain thing should happen:
We will buy the house, providing (
provided )
we can get a mortgage.
usage note for if
If meaning “whether,” as in
I haven't decided if I'll go, is sometimes criticized, but the usage has been established in standard English for a long time.
Words nearby if
Definition for if (2 of 2)
British Dictionary definitions for if (1 of 2)
if
/ (ɪf) /
conjunction (subordinating)
noun
an uncertainty or doubt
the big if is whether our plan will work at all
a condition or stipulation
I won't have any ifs or buts
Word Origin for if
Old English
gif; related to Old Saxon
ef if, Old High German
iba whether, if
British Dictionary definitions for if (2 of 2)
IF
i.f.
/ electronics /
abbreviation for
intermediate frequency
Medical definitions for if
IF
abbr.
initiation factor
Idioms and Phrases with if
if