in / in/ • prep. 1. expressing the situation of something that is or appears to be enclosed or surrounded by something else: living in Deep River dressed in their Sunday best soak it in warm soapy water she saw it in the rearview mirror. ∎  expressing motion with the result that something ends up within or surrounded by something else: don't put dye in the bathtub he got in his car and drove off.2. expressing a period of time during which an event takes place or a situation remains the case: they met in 1885 at one o'clock in the morning I hadn't seen him in years.3. expressing the length of time before a future event is expected to take place: I'll see you in fifteen minutes.4. (often followed by a noun without a determiner) expressing a state or condition: to be in love I've got to put my affairs in order a woman in her thirties laid out in a straight line. ∎  indicating the quality or aspect with respect to which a judgment is made: no discernible difference in quality.5. expressing inclusion or involvement: I read it in a book acting in a film.6. indicating someone's occupation or profession: she works in publishing.7. indicating the language or medium used: say it in Polish put it in writing. ∎  indicating the key in which a piece of music is written: Mozart's Piano Concerto in E flat.8. as an integral part of (an activity): in planning public expenditure it is better to be prudent. • adv. 1. expressing movement with the result that someone or something becomes enclosed or surrounded by something else: come in bring it in presently the admiral breezed in.2. expressing the situation of being enclosed or surrounded by something: we were locked in.3. expressing arrival at a destination: the train got in very late.4. (of the tide) rising or at its highest level.5. Baseball (of an infielder or outfielder) playing closer to home plate than usual: looking for a force, they brought the infield in. ∎  (of a pitch) very close to the batter: he threw a fastball in and up a little.• adj. 1. (of a person) present at one's home or office: we knocked at the door but there was no one in.2. inf. fashionable: pastels and light colors are in this year the in thing to do.3. (of the ball in tennis and similar games) landing within the designated playing area. • n. a position of influence: he would ensure an in with the nominee.PHRASES: be in for have good reason to expect (typically something unpleasant): it looks as if we're in for a storm. ∎  (be in for it) have good reason to expect trouble or retribution. have it in for someone see have.in all see all.in and out of being a frequent visitor to (a house) or frequent inmate of (an institution): he was in and out of jail for most of his twenties.in on privy to (a secret): they were in on the conspiracy.in so far as see insofar.in that for the reason that (used to specify the respect in which a statement is true): I was fortunate in that I had friends.in with inf. enjoying friendly relations with: I was in demand because I was in with the right people.the ins and outs inf. all the details (of something).