in
gb/ˈɪn/ us/ˈɪn/
A1
English
~ 200
Senses
0 senses
preposition
A1
relation
1
inside a space or area
Shows that something is inside a place or thing.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] in [a place/object]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'in' with 'on' when talking about surfaces. Use 'in' for enclosed spaces and 'on' for surfaces.
Synonyms
inside (More explicitly emphasizes being enclosed within something.)
Antonyms
outside (Indicates being beyond the limits or boundaries of a place or object.)
Collocations
in the room
|in the box
|in the city
|in the bag
|in the water
Themes
daily life
|directions
|spatial
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The keys are in the drawer.
- She waited in the car while he went inside.
- There are fish in the pond.
- He lives in New York City.
- The toys are in the box.
Learner examples
- My phone is in my bag.
- The cat is in the house.
- There is milk in the glass.
- We are in the park.
- The shoes are in the closet.
preposition
A2
relation
2
part of a group or category
Shows that something is part of a group or category.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] in [a group/category]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'at' instead of 'in' when referring to membership; 'in' is correct for belonging to groups.
Synonyms
among (Suggests being surrounded by or included with others, often more general than 'in'.)
Antonyms
outside of (Shows not belonging to a group or category.)
Collocations
in the team
|in the class
|in the family
Themes
social
|classification
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He plays in a jazz band.
- She is in the debate club.
- There are five people in our family.
- He is in the top ten players of the league.
Learner examples
- I am in class 5A.
- She is in my team.
- We are in the same group.
- My father is in the army.
preposition
A1
relation
3
during a period of time
Shows when something happens during a time period.
Usage pattern:
[event] in [time period]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'in' with 'on' for dates; use 'in' for months, years, and longer periods, and 'on' for specific days.
Synonyms
during (More formal; focuses on the whole time span.)
Antonyms
outside of (Refers to events not occurring within a given time period.)
Collocations
in the morning
|in January
|in 2020
Themes
time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We will meet in the afternoon.
- She was born in May.
- It happened in the 19th century.
- I learned to swim in two weeks.
Learner examples
- I go to school in the morning.
- He was born in June.
- We will travel in summer.
adjective
B1
property
4
fashionable or trendy now
Popular or liked by many people now.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'in' as an adjective with its prepositional uses; here it does not mean location but popularity.
Synonyms
trendy (Informal; emphasizes being stylish and up-to-date.)
Antonyms
out (Colloquial opposite meaning no longer fashionable.)
Collocations
the in thing
|very in right now
Themes
fashion
|culture
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- That style of jacket is really in this season.
- Short videos are very in at the moment.
- Minimalist design is definitely in now.
Learner examples
- This music is very in now.
- That dress is in this year.
- Long hair is in again.
adverb
A1
relation
5
movement into a place
Shows going from outside to inside a place.
Synonyms
inside (Also indicates enclosed position, but here focuses on direction of movement.)
Antonyms
out (Indicates movement from inside to outside.)
Collocations
come in
|go in
|bring in
Themes
movement
|space
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Please come in and sit down.
- He walked in without knocking.
- Bring the boxes in from the car.
Learner examples
- Come in, please.
- Go in and find your seat.
- Bring the bag in.
Grammar
Dictionary form
in
IPA
GB/ˈɪn/
US/ˈɪn/
Syllables & stress
in (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: in
- Comparative: iner
- Superlative: inest
Word family
Expressions
in case of
1/ˈɪn kˈeɪs əv/
fixed phrase
if something happens/occurs
If a particular thing happens.
Examples
- In case of fire, use the stairs, not the elevator.
- Call me in case of an emergency.
in charge of
1/ˈɪn t͡ʃˈɑɹd͡ʒ əv/
fixed phrase
responsible for something/someone
Having control over something or someone; responsible for them.
Examples
- She is in charge of marketing at the company.
- Who is in charge of this project?
in advance
1/ˈɪn ədvˈæns/
fixed phrase
before something happens
Before something happens or before you need it.
Examples
- You must pay for your ticket in advance.
- Please book your tickets in advance.
- We booked our hotel room well in advance.
- You should let me know in advance if you can't come.
in fact
1/ˈɪn fˈækt/
fixed phrase
Used to emphasize truth or add detail
Used to show what you are saying is true or to add surprising information.
Examples
- I thought the exam would be hard. In fact, it was quite easy.
- He seems quiet. In fact, he loves to talk once you know him.
in fact
2/ˈɪn fˈækt/
fixed phrase
actually; really; indeed
Used to say what is really true, especially if different from what was said before.
Examples
- I thought it would be hard, but in fact it was easy.
- He looks young; in fact, he’s 50.
in trouble
1/ˈɪn tɹˈʌbəl/
fixed phrase
in a difficult situation
Having problems or being likely to be punished.
Examples
- He knew he was in trouble when he saw his boss waiting.
- The hikers were in trouble when the storm hit.
- The company is in trouble financially.
- She's in trouble with her boss for missing the meeting.