that

Pronunciation: /ðat, ðət/

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Definition of that

pronoun (plural those /ðəʊz/)

1used to identify a specific person or thing observed or heard by the speaker:that’s his wife over there hello, is that Ben?
referring to the more distant of two things near to the speaker (the other, if specified, being identified by ‘this’):this is stronger than that

2referring to a specific thing previously mentioned, known, or understood:that’s a good idea what are we going to do about that?

3 [often with clause] used in singling out someone or something and ascribing a distinctive feature to them:it is part of human nature to be attracted to that which is aesthetically pleasing his appearance was that of someone used to sleeping on the streets

4 informal, chiefly British expressing strong agreement with a description just given:‘He’s a fussy man.’ ‘He is that.’

5 (plural that) [relative pronoun] used to introduce a defining clause, especially one essential to identification:
instead of ‘which’, ‘who’, or ‘whom’:the woman that owns the place
instead of ‘when’ after an expression of time:the year that Anna was born

determiner (plural those /ðəʊz/)

1used to identify a specific person or thing observed or heard by the speaker:look at that chap there how much are those brushes?
referring to the more distant of two things near to the speaker (the other, if specified, being identified by ‘this’).

2referring to a specific thing previously mentioned, known, or understood:he lived in Mysore at that time seven people died in that incident

3 [usually with clause] used in singling out someone or something and ascribing a distinctive feature to them:I have always envied those people who make their own bread

4referring to a specific person or thing assumed as understood or familiar to the person being addressed:where is that son of yours? I let him spend all that money on me Dad got that hunted look

adverb

[as submodifier]

to such a degree; so:I wouldn’t go that far
used with a gesture to indicate size:it was that big, perhaps even bigger
informal very:I couldn’t get out of the house fast enough, I was that embarrassed!

conjunction

1introducing a subordinate clause expressing a statement or hypothesis:she said that she was satisfied it is possible that we have misunderstood
expressing a reason or cause:he seemed pleased that I wanted to continue
expressing a result:she was so tired that she couldn’t think
[usually with modal] expressing a purpose, hope, or intention:we pray that the coming year may be a year of peace I eat that I may live

2 [usually with modal] literary expressing a wish or regret:oh that he could be restored to health

Phrases

and all that (or and that): informal and that sort of thing; and so on:other people depend on them for food and clothing and all that
be all that: see all.
at that: see at¹.
like that
not all that ——: not very ——:it wasn’t all that long ago
that is (or that is to say): used to introduce or follow a clarification, interpretation, or correction of something already said:androcentric—that is to say, male-dominated—concepts He was a long-haired kid with freckles. Last time I saw him, that is
that said: even so (introducing a concessive statement):It’s just a gimmick. That said, I’d love to do it
that's it: see it¹.
that's that: there is nothing more to do or say about the matter.
—— that was: as the specified person or thing was formerly known:General Dunstaple had married Miss Hughes that was
that will do: no more is needed or desirable.

Origin:

Old English thæt, nominative and accusative singular neuter of se 'the', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch dat and German das

1 The word that can be omitted in standard English where it introduces a subordinate clause, as in she said (that) she was satisfied. It can also be dropped in a relative clause where the subject of the subordinate clause is not the same as the subject of the main clause, as in the book (that) I’ve just written (‘the book’ and ‘I’ are two different subjects). Where the subject of the subordinate clause and the main clause are the same, use of the word that is obligatory, as in the woman that owns the place (‘the woman’ is the subject of both clauses).2 It is sometimes argued that, in relative clauses, that should be used for non-human references, while who should be used for human references: a house that overlooks the park but the woman who lives next door. In practice, while it is true to say that who is restricted to human references, the function of that is flexible. It has been used for human and non-human references since at least the 11th century, and is invaluable where both a person and a thing is being referred to, as in a person or thing that is believed to bring bad luck. 3 Is there any difference between the use of that and which in sentences such as any book that gets children reading is worth having, and any book which gets children reading is worth having? The general rule in British English is that, in restrictive relative clauses, where the relative clause serves to define or restrict the reference to the particular one described, which can replace that. However, in non-restrictive relative clauses, where the relative clause serves only to give additional information, that cannot be used: this book, which is set in the last century, is very popular with teenagers but not this book, that is set in the last century, is very popular with teenagers. In US English which is generally used only for non-restrictive relative clauses.

that in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of that in the US English dictionary

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Other

that

pronoun (plural those /ðəʊz/)

determiner (plural those /ðəʊz/)

adverb

conjunction

Phrases

and all that (or and that)

be all that

at that

like that

not all that ——

that is (or that is to say)

that said

that's it

that's that

—— that was

that will do

Origin:

that in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for that

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