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Definition this in British English

this adverb, determiner, pronoun

adverb, determiner, pronoun
/ðɪs/

This can be used in the following ways:

as a determiner (followed by a noun): He gave me this diamond ring.

as a demonstrative pronoun (without a following noun): This is the photograph you asked for.

as an adverb (before an adjective, adverb, or ‘much’): It’s a long time since I felt this good.

1

used when you are referring to a particular person, thing, fact etc that has just been mentioned, or when it is obvious which one you are referring to

Example

Sometimes there's flooding, and this is why no one wants to live here.

Example

Based on Edith Wharton's novel, this latest film stars Gillian Anderson.

Example

Robbery, rape, drug dealing - these are just some of the crimes that are on the increase.

2

used for referring to the particular thing that you are going to talk about

Example

Now, this is what I want you to do, so listen carefully.

3

used for referring to something that you are wearing, holding, or showing

3.1

used for referring to something that you are wearing, holding, or showing

Example

I've brought this book to show you.

Example

I bought these shoes in Italy.

3.2

used for referring to the place that you are in

Example

This large room where we're standing now is the banqueting hall.

Example

This is where I catch the bus.

Synonyms and related words
about across after
3.3

used for referring to the thing that is nearest to you, especially when you are pointing to it

Example

This is my towel and that's yours.

Example

These oranges are really expensive.

4

used for referring to the present time

4.1

used for referring to the present time

Example

I don't get much spare time these days.

Example

Why haven't you phoned me before this?

Example

I'm going to be away the whole of this week.

Example

Benson was late again this morning.

Synonyms and related words
then all last
4.2

used for referring to something that is happening or to something that you are doing

Example

Is this your first visit to Ireland?

Example

In this chapter I will discuss the development of the market economy.

4.3

used before the name of a particular day, month, season etc to mean the one that will come next

Example

Are we going to have enough fuel this winter?

5

used when you are introducing someone

Example

This is our new secretary, Veronica Taylor.

Example

These are my friends Claudia and Jack.

6

used when you are saying who you are in a telephone conversation or on the radio or television

Example

Hello, this is Kim Riley speaking.

Example

This is the BBC World Service broadcasting from London.

Synonyms and related words
answer busy call
7

so, or to such a degree

Example

When you've come this far, you don't think of turning back.

Example

I haven't had this much fun since I was a kid.

Example

It was cold in Toronto, but it wasn't as cold as this.

Synonyms and related words
very particularly deeply
8

used when you use your hands to show how big something is or how much of it there is

Example

The grass was this high.

Example

There's only about this much wine left in the bottle.

Synonyms and related words
by disproportionate double
9

used in a story or a joke when you mention a person or thing without giving a name

Example

There was this big guy standing in the doorway.

Definition this in British English

Related Words

Words related to this:

at this juncture (phrase) at this moment in time (phrase) at this rate (phrase) at this time (phrase) at this time of night (phrase) etc for a lark (phrase) don’t try this at home (phrase) from the moment (that) (phrase) I don’t need this crap (phrase) in this day and age (phrase) regard (phrase) not funny (phrase) was always going to be... (phrase) (just) this once (phrase) not long for this world () on score () on account (phrase) out of this world (phrase) say for someone (phrase) the/this House (phrase) this (adverb, determiner, pronoun) this and that (phrase) this instant (phrase) this is it (phrase) this is the life (phrase) this lark (phrase) this minute (phrase) this (phrase) this side of something (phrase) baby (phrase) puppy (phrase) to the effect that (phrase) to this day (phrase) to this end (phrase) to what do we owe ? (phrase) watch this space (phrase) what’s the meaning of this? (phrase) going to love this (phrase)