if

Syllabification: (if)

Pronunciation: /if/

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Definition of if

conjunction

1introducing a conditional clause.
on the condition or supposition that; in the event that:if you have a complaint, write to the director if you like, I’ll put in a word for you
(with past tense) introducing a hypothetical situation:if you had stayed, this would never have happened
whenever; every time:if I go out, she gets nasty

2despite the possibility that; no matter whether:if it takes me seven years, I shall do it

3(often used in indirect questions) whether:he asked if we would like some coffee see if you can track it down

4 [with modal] expressing a polite request:if I could trouble you for your names? if you wouldn’t mind giving him a message?

5expressing an opinion:that’s an awfully long walk, if you don’t mind my saying so if you ask me, he’s in love

6expressing surprise or regret:well, if it isn’t Frank! if I could just be left alone

7with implied reservation.
and perhaps not:the new leaders have little if any control
used to admit something as being possible but regarded as relatively insignificant:if there was any weakness, it was naiveté so what if he did?
despite being (used before an adjective or adverb to introduce a contrast):she was honest, if a little brutal

noun

a condition or supposition:there are so many ifs and buts in the policy

Phrases

if and only if: used to introduce a condition that is necessary as well as sufficient:witches are real if and only if there are criteria for identifying witches
if and when: at a future time (should it arise):if and when the film gets the green light, be sure you’ve read the book first
if anything: used to suggest tentatively that something may be the case (often the opposite of something previously implied):I haven’t made much of this—if anything, I’ve played it down
if I were you: used to accompany a piece of advice:I would go to see him if I were you
if not: perhaps even (used to introduce a more extreme term than one first mentioned):hundreds if not thousands of germs
if only
if so: if that is the case.

Origin:

Old English gif, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch of and German ob

If and whether are more or less interchangeable in sentences like I’ll see if he left an address and I’ll see whether he left an address, although whether is generally regarded as more formal and suitable for written use. But, although if and whether are often interchangeable, a distinction worth noting is that if is also used in conditional constructions and whether in expressing an alternative or possibility. Thus, tell me if you’re going to be in town next week could be strictly interpreted as ‘you need not reply if you are not going to be in town,’ whereas tell me whether you’re going to be in town next week clearly means ‘a reply is desired one way or the other.’.

if in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of if in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

if

conjunction

noun

Phrases

if and only if

if and when

if anything

if I were you

if not

if only

if so

Origin:

if in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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