if

1 of 2

conjunction

ˈif 

əf

1

a

: in the event that

b

: allowing that

c

: on the assumption that

d

: on condition that

2

: whether

asked if the mail had come

I doubt if I'll pass the course

3

—used as a function word to introduce an exclamation expressing a wish

if it would only rain

4

: even though : although perhaps

an interesting if untenable argument

5

: and perhaps not even

few if any changes are expected

—often used with not

difficult if not impossible

if

2 of 2

noun

ˈif 

1

: condition, stipulation

the question … depends on too many ifs to allow an answer

—Encounter

2

: supposition

Phrases

if anything

: on the contrary even : perhaps even

if anything, you ought to apologize

Synonyms

Noun

• assumption
• given
• hypothetical
• postulate
• premise
• premiss
• presumption
• presupposition
• supposition

Examples of if in a Sentence

Noun

There are too many ifs in this proposal.

your conclusion may turn out to be accurate, but you're postulating a lot of ifs

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There’s no if’s, and’s or but’s about it: the Rangers can’t waste this opportunity against a tanking opponent. —Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2023

There’s no questions or ifs or buts, that is the end of it. —Herb Scribner, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2023

But still, they should be haunted by the if-onlys. —Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 9 Feb. 2023

As a result, discontent with the manager is growing, and with a 7 ½-month gap between the end of qualifying and the start of this fall’s World Cup in Qatar, this would be the time to make a change - if, indeed, a change is coming. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2022

On Monday, Circa Sports posted Georgia as a 3-point favorite - with the over/under at 50.5 - if, or when, the Tide clinches the SEC West. —Mark Heim | [e-mail], al, 15 Nov. 2021

OOF: If the Senate manages to pass its health-care bill -- and that's a mammoth IF -- the House seems ready to give it the nod, too, my colleague Paul Kane writes. —Paige Winfield Cunningham, Washington Post, 17 July 2017

But if all goes as planned – a big IF in the restaurant business – —Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, 12 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

Conjunction

Middle English, from Old English gif; akin to Old High German ibu if

First Known Use

Conjunction

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

Noun

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing if

• as if
• as if I cared
• As if on cue
• correct me if I'm wrong
• damned if
• darned if
• doggoned if
• even if
• few if any
• I don't mind if I do
• if anything
• if (at all) possible
• if/had (two people's) situations been reversed
• if he/she is day
• if I may/might say so
• if I may say so
• if I say so myself
• if it ain't broke, don't fix it
• if it comes to that
• if it had not been for
• if it isn't
• if it kills one
• if it's any consolation
• if it's the last thing someone does
• if it's the last thing someone (ever) does
• if it wasn't
• if it were not for
• if I were (someone)
• if I were you
• if looks could kill, I'd be dead right now
• if memory serves
• if (my) memory serves me (correctly/right/rightly)
• if necessary
• if need be
• if not
• if not for
• if nothing else
• if one had one's druthers
• if one knows what's good for one
• if only
• if so
• if someone likes
• if someone must
• if the cap fits
• if the cap fits, wear it
• if the shoe fits
• if the shoe fits, wear it
• if (the) worse comes to (the) worst
• if (the) worst comes to (the) worst
• if/when all else fails
• if worse comes to worse
• if you ask me
• if you believe that, you'll believe anything
• if you can't stand/take the heat, get out of the kitchen
• if you don't mind my/me asking
• if you don't mind my/me saying so
• if you know what I mean
• if you like
• if you must know
• if you please
• if you've got it, flaunt it
• if you've seen one, you've seen them all
• if you will
• little if any
• nothing if not
• rarely/seldom if ever
• see if I care
• that's a big if
• what if
• (you're) damned if you do and damned if you don't

Kids Definition

if

1 of 2 conjunction

(ˌ)if 

əf

1

: in the event that

come if you can

2

: whether it is or was true that

asked if the mail had come

3

—used to introduce a wish

if it would only rain

4

: even though : but

an interesting if unbelievable excuse

if

2 of 2 noun

ˈif 

1

: condition entry 1 sense 3, stipulation

too many ifs make the contract confusing

2

: supposition sense 1

a theory full of ifs

Medical Definition

IF

abbreviation

interferon