if

Pronunciation: /ɪf/

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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 I wonder if she noticed

4 [with modal] expressing a polite request:if I could just use the phone, I’ll get a taxi if you wouldn’t mind giving him a message?

5expressing an opinion:that’s a jolly 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!

7with implied reservation:
and perhaps not:the new leaders have little if any control
used to admit something as being possible but relatively insignificant:if there was any weakness, it was naivety ‘We both saw him.’ ‘So what if you 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 which is necessary as well as sufficient:Alice will come if and only if Charles and Edward are both going to be there
if and when: at a future time (should it arise):most of these plans can be altered if and when the situation changes
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.

if in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of if in the US 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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