if

conjunction

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\ ˈif

, əf \

Definition of if

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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 wishif 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 notdifficult if not impossible

if anything

: on the contrary even : perhaps even if anything, you ought to apologize

noun

\ ˈif

Definition of if (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : condition, stipulation the question … depends on too many ifs to allow an answer — Encounter

2 : supposition

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about if

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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 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, "The Health 202: Insurers join the din of opposition to the Senate health care bill," 17 July 2017 But if all goes as planned – a big IF in the restaurant business – — Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, "‘Chef to the stars’ Max Hardy to open three Detroit restaurants – and doors for more black chefs," 12 July 2017 IF is also used both to connect the chips within the multi-chip module (MCM), and, in two processor configurations, to connect the two sockets. — Peter Bright, Ars Technica, "AMD muscles in on Xeon’s turf as it unveils Epyc," 20 June 2017 Each chip in one socket is paired with a chip in the other socket, for four pairs total, with one IF link between each pair. — Peter Bright, Ars Technica, "AMD muscles in on Xeon’s turf as it unveils Epyc," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'if.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“If.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/if. Accessed 7 Jul. 2020.

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More Definitions for if

conjunction

English Language Learners Definition of if

(Entry 1 of 2)

—used to talk about the result or effect of something that may happen or be true

—used to discuss the imaginary result or effect of something that did not happen or that is or was not true

—used to say that something must happen before another thing can happen

noun

English Language Learners Definition of if (Entry 2 of 2)

: something that is not certain : something that could either happen or not happen

See the full definition for if in the English Language Learners Dictionary

conjunction

\ ˈif

, əf \

Kids Definition of if

1 : in the event that If it rains we'll stay home.

2 : whether sense 1 See if they have left.

3 —used to introduce a wishIf only it would rain.

abbreviation

Medical Definition of IF

interferon

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if

Definition of if

Synonyms for if

Examples of if in a Sentence

First Known Use of if

History and Etymology for if

Learn More about if

Dictionary Entries near if

Statistics for if

English Language Learners Definition of if

Kids Definition of if

Medical Definition of IF

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if

Definition of if

Synonyms for if

Examples of if in a Sentence

First Known Use of if

History and Etymology for if

Learn More about if

The first known use of if was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries near if

Phrases Related to if

Statistics for if

English Language Learners Definition of if

Kids Definition of if

Medical Definition of IF

WORD OF THE DAY

sound

Test Your Vocabulary

A Trick for Dealing with Summer Heat: Estivate

17 Red, White, and Blue Political Terms

Help Your Kids Beat the Summer Slump

'Pandemic' vs 'Epidemic'

How to Remember the Spelling of 'Definitely'