from

preposition

ˈfrəm 

ˈfräm,

 also  fəm

1

a

—used as a function word to indicate a starting point of a physical movement or a starting point in measuring or reckoning or in a statement of limits

came here from the city

a week from today

cost from $5 to $10

b

—used as a function word to indicate the starting or focal point of an activity

called me from a pay phone

ran a business from her home

2

—used as a function word to indicate physical separation or an act or condition of removal, abstention, exclusion, release, subtraction, or differentiation

protection from the sun

relief from anxiety

3

—used as a function word to indicate the source, cause, agent, or basis

we conclude from this

a call from my lawyer

inherited a love of music from his father

worked hard from necessity

Examples of from in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Netflix removed the actress, the first openly trans performer to be nominated for the best actress Oscar, from Emilia Pérez’s Oscar campaign in the U.S. amid the public fallout over the posts. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025

There’s so much to learn, not just from the history but from the people themselves. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Feb. 2025

Stafford, 37, had drawn considerable interest after the Rams granted his representatives permission to seek the potential financial parameters from another clubs if L.A. elected to peddle him. —Jay Paris, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

With so many vying for their attention, one savvy distributor found a novel way to get some quality time with the in-demand execs; provide a taxi service to and from the smorgasbord of events and shop them your wares during the ride. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English from, fram; akin to Old High German fram, adverb, forth, away, Old English faran to go — more at fare

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for from

• bum
• chum
• come
• crum
• cum
• drum
• dum
• dumb
• frum
• glum
• gum
• hum

Kids Definition

from

preposition

(ˈ)frəm 

ˈfräm

1

—used to show a starting or central point

came here from the city

a letter from home

ran a business from home

2

—used to show removal or separation

the dictator fell from power

subtract 3 from 9

far from safe

3

—used to show a material, source, or cause

a doll made from rags

reading aloud from a book

suffering from a cold