American Dictionary

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Definition into in American English

into preposition

preposition
strong /ɪnˈtu/ weak /ˈɪntə/
Example

She got into her car and drove away.

Example

Hundreds of athletes marched into the stadium for the opening ceremony.

Example

I wandered into the hotel bar and ordered a drink.

Synonyms and related words
1.2

going inside a container or an empty space

Example

Slipping his hand into his coat pocket, he felt for his keys.

Example

Pour the mixture into a large saucepan.

Synonyms and related words
1.3

going through the surface toward the deeper part of something

Example

The nurse plunged a needle into my arm.

Example

Kate scrambled to her feet and dived into the water.

Example

They marched wearily, their boots sinking into the mud.

Synonyms and related words
1.4

moving toward something and hitting it

Example

Their car had crashed into a tree.

Example

He was so angry he slammed his fist into the wall.

Synonyms and related words
1.5

arriving somewhere

Example

Our flight gets into Boston at around 7:30.

Example

What time did you get into work?

Synonyms and related words
2

used for stating what place a road, path, entrance, etc. leads to

Example

Is there another way into the building?

Example

There's flooding on all the roads into the city.

Synonyms and related words
3

used for stating the direction in which someone or something looks, faces, or points

Example

She was gazing into the mirror.

Example

Can you speak into the microphone?

Synonyms and related words
4

used for stating what someone or something becomes after a change

4.1

used for stating what someone or something becomes after a change

Example

Julie had grown into a beautiful woman.

Example

Our argument was gradually turning into a full-scale battle.

Example

Freezing temperatures have transformed the lake into a skating rink.

Example

Roll the dough into a ball.

Synonyms and related words
4.2

used for stating what physical or emotional state someone starts to be in

Example

The plane suddenly lost altitude, throwing the passengers into a panic.

Example

She fell into a deep sleep.

Synonyms and related words
4.3

used for stating what language something is translated to

Example

Her stories have been translated into more than 30 languages.

Synonyms and related words
5

used for stating what bad situation someone starts to become involved in

5.1

used for stating what bad situation someone starts to become involved in

Example

Many students have gotten into debt by the time they graduate.

Example

It was you who got us into this mess in the first place.

Example

I hope we don't run into any problems.

Example

She always manages to get into trouble.

Synonyms and related words
5.2

starting to take part in an activity or type of work

Example

Amy threw herself into the work with enthusiasm.

Example

He'll probably go into business with his father (=start a company with him).

Example

Ted is trying to get into the financial industry (=get a job in it).

Synonyms and related words
6

used for stating what you are trying to find out about

Example

I promise to look into the matter.

Example

the investigation into official misconduct

Synonyms and related words
7

used for stating what someone persuades or forces you to do

Example

He talked us into buying a new washing machine.

Example

Reservists are being pressed into service to help clean up after the storm.

Synonyms and related words
8

used for stating what substance another substance gets mixed with

Example

How did mercury get into the water supply?

Example

Stir a little cream into the sauce.

Synonyms and related words
9

used for stating what group or organization someone becomes a member of

Example

She should never have married into that family.

Example

You have to have outstanding SAT scores to get into a top college.

Synonyms and related words
10

used for stating what clothes you put on

Example

You'd better change into some warm clothes.

Example

Sophie was still trying to get into her wetsuit.

Synonyms and related words
11

used for saying that something continues for a long time and ends part of the way through a later period

Example

They went on working late into the night.

Example

Matt was still playing league baseball well into his forties.

Synonyms and related words
12

used for stating what activity or subject someone is interested in and enjoys

Example

Suddenly she's into yoga and things like that.

Example

At first I didn't really like painting, but now I've really gotten into it.

Synonyms and related words
13

used for stating how something is divided

Example

The 32 teams will be split into eight groups of four.

Example

They divided the country into four regions.

Example

Break the chocolate into pieces.

Synonyms and related words
13.1

used when dividing one number by another

Example

4 into 8 gives you 2.

Synonyms and related words
Definition into in American English

Related Words

Words related to into:

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