from
FROM
From (prep) means used to show the origin, starting point, or source of something. Example: “She flew from London to New York.”
prep
1
Used to show the origin, starting point, or source of something.
"She flew from London to New York."
"This recipe comes from my grandmother."
"These apples come from a farm near our village."
2
Used to show a starting point in time.
"The shop is open from 9am to 6pm."
"I have loved cooking from the age of ten."
"Classes run from Monday to Thursday this term."
3
Used to indicate separation, removal, or exclusion.
"He was banned from the club."
"Subtract five from ten and you get five."
"Keep the children away from the hot stove, please."
How to use from
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne of the most basic prepositions in English, marking where something starts, comes from, or is separated from.
Common pairings
from now on
far from
from time to time
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She flew _____ London to New York.
Etymology
From Old English fram/from ("forward, from"), going back to a Proto-Germanic word meaning "forward, away".
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for from
See all rhymes for from →Frequently asked questions
What does “from” mean?
The word “from” means used to show the origin, starting point, or source of something. In plain terms, one of the most basic prepositions in English, marking where something starts, comes from, or is separated from.
How do you pronounce “from”?
“From” is pronounced FROM (/ˈfɹʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “from” in a sentence?
Here is “from” used in a sentence: “She flew from London to New York.”
What is the opposite of “from”?
The opposite of “from” — its antonyms — is to.
What part of speech is “from”?
“From” is a preposition.
Where does the word “from” come from?
The word “from” comes from Old English. From Old English fram/from ("forward, from"), going back to a Proto-Germanic word meaning "forward, away".
Is “from” a common word?
“From” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “from” have?
“From” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: used to show the origin, starting point, or source of something.
What is the difference between "from" and "since" for time?
Both mark a starting point, but "since" is normally used with perfect tenses to connect that start to now ("I have lived here since May"), while "from" simply marks where something begins and often pairs with "to" or "until" ("open from nine to five"). "From" does not require the action to continue up to the present.
Is it "different from", "different than", or "different to"?
"Different from" is standard everywhere and always safe: "This is different from that." "Different than" is common in American English, especially before a clause, and "different to" is heard in British English; both attract criticism in formal writing, so "different from" is the best default.
What is the difference between "from" and "of" for origin?
"From" points to a source or starting point ("a letter from my aunt," "cheese from France"), while "of" usually marks belonging, material, or composition ("the roof of the house," "a ring of gold"). When you can trace something back to a place, person, or starting point, "from" is normally the right choice.
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