- (used to represent an inanimate thing understood, previously mentioned, about to be mentioned, or present in the immediate context):It has whitewall tires and red upholstery.You can't tell a book by its cover.
- (used to represent an animal understood, previously mentioned, or about to be mentioned whose sex is unknown or disregarded): It was the largest shark ever caught off the Florida coast.The horse had its saddle on.
- (used to represent a person of previously unknown identity, in a sentence seeking, establishing, or commenting on their identity): "I heard the phone ring—who was it?" "It was John."Someone got hurt, but they think it was not the driver.
- (used to represent a group understood or previously mentioned): The judge told the jury it must decide two issues.
- (used to represent a concept or abstract idea understood or previously stated): It all started with my choice to walk out that door.He has been taught to believe it all his life.
- (used to represent an action or activity understood, previously mentioned, or about to be mentioned): Since you don't like it, you don't have to go skiing.
- (used as the impersonal subject of the verb to be, especially to refer to time, distance, or the weather): It is six o'clock.It is five miles to town.It was foggy.
- (used in statements expressing an action, condition, fact, circumstance, or situation without reference to an agent): If it weren't for Edna, I wouldn't go.
- (used in referring to something as the origin or cause of pain, pleasure, etc.): Where does it hurt?It looks bad for the candidate.
- (used in referring to a source not specifically named or described): It is said that love is blind.
- (used in referring to the general state of affairs, circumstances, fate, or life in general): How's it going with you?
- (used as an anticipatory subject or object in order to shift emphasis): It is necessary that you do your duty.It is I who should apologize.It was a very kind thing he did there.
- (used instead of the pronoun its before a gerund): It having rained for only one hour didn't help the crops.
- (in children's games) the player called upon to perform some task, such as, in tag, the one who must catch the other players.
- Slang.
- sex appeal.
- sexual intercourse.
- to become active or interested: He was warned to get with it or resign.
- have it, Informal.
- to love someone: She really has it bad for him.
- to possess the requisite abilities for something; be talented, adept, or proficient: In this business you either have it or you don't.
- See entry at it is what it is.
- See entry at it's not over till it's over.
- with it, Slang.
- aware of the latest fads, fashions, etc.; up-to-date: By grooving on teenage slang, the principal is trying to show us how with it she is, but the effect is something like seeing a mohawk on Grandma.
- attentive or alert: I'm just not with it early in the morning.
- understanding or appreciative of something: Let's face it—when it comes to originality, Hollywood isn't really with it.
- being a member of the carnival.
- sweet vermouth: gin and it.
- Italian.
- Italy.
- refers to a nonhuman, animal, plant, or inanimate thing, or sometimes to a small baby
- refers to an unspecified or implied antecedent or to a previous or understood clause, phrase, etc
- used to represent human life or experience either in totality or in respect of the present situation
- used as a formal subject (or object), referring to a following clause, phrase, or word
- used in the nominative as the formal grammatical subject of impersonal verbs. When it functions absolutely in such sentences, not referring to any previous or following clause or phrase, the context is nearly always a description of the environment or of some physical sensation
- the crucial or ultimate point
- (in children's games) the player whose turn it is to try to touch another
- informal
- sexual intercourse
- sex appeal
- a desirable quality or ability
- Italy
- information technology
- Italian
- Italy
