it1

pronoun

• 1used to refer to a thing previously mentioned or easily identified:a room with two beds in it this approach is refreshing because it breaks down barriers
• referring to an animal or child of unspecified sex:she was holding the baby, cradling it and smiling into its face
• referring to a fact or situation previously mentioned, known, or happening:stop it, you’re hurting me

• 2used to identify a person:it’s me it’s a boy!

• 3used in the normal subject position in statements about time, distance, or weather:it’s half past five it was two miles to the island it’s raining

• 4used in the normal subject or object position when a more specific subject or object is given later in the sentence:it is impossible to assess the problem she found it interesting to learn about their strategy

• 5 [with clause] used to emphasize a following part of a sentence:it is the child who is the victim

• 6the situation or circumstances; things in general:no one can stay here—it’s too dangerous now he would like to see you straight away if it’s convenient

• 7exactly what is needed or desired:they thought they were it you’ve either got it or you haven’t

• 8 (usually ‘it’) informal sexual intercourse or sex appeal: the only thing I knew nothing about was ‘it’

• 9 [attributive] (It) informal denoting a person or thing that is exceptionally fashionable, popular, or successful at a particular time:they were Hollywood’s It couple the company is renting out the It bags of the moment for as little as £10 a week

  [after It girl]

• 10 (usually ‘it’) (in children’s games) the player who has to catch the others.