is

What is another word for is? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.

Verb — The third-person singular present form of the verb be, used with he, she, it or any singular noun to link a subject to a description, identity, state or location.

We haven't recorded synonyms for is yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use is

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

there is it is is not is going to

Core grammatical word; neutral in every register.

Etymology

From Old English is. It does not descend from beon (the source of be and been) but from a separate ancient root, which also gives Latin est and German ist — the verb 'to be' in English is assembled from several originally distinct verbs.

Full origin of is →

Frequently asked questions

When do you use is instead of are?

Use is with a singular subject and with he, she or it; use are with plural subjects and with you, we and they. So the dog is barking but the dogs are barking. Uncountable nouns like water, advice and news also take is.

What is the difference between is and its and it's?

Is is the verb. It's is the contraction of it is or it has, so it contains the same verb. Its with no apostrophe is the possessive, as in the dog wagged its tail.

Is it 'a number of people is' or 'are'?

Use are. 'A number of' works as a plural quantifier, so a number of people are waiting. By contrast 'the number of' is singular: the number of complaints is falling.

Nearby words

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