the
1(used, especially before a noun, with a specifying or particularizing effect, as opposed to the indefinite or generalizing force of the indefinite article a or an): the book you gave me; Come into the house.
(used to mark a proper noun, natural phenomenon, ship, building, time, point of the compass, branch of endeavor, or field of study as something well-known or unique): the sun; the Alps; the Queen Elizabeth; the past; the West.
(used with or as part of a title): the Duke of Wellington; the Reverend John Smith.
(used to mark a noun as indicating the best-known, most approved, most important, most satisfying, etc.): the skiing center of the U.S.; If you're going to work hard, now is the time.
(used to mark a noun as being used generically): The dog is a quadruped.
(used in place of a possessive pronoun, to note a part of the body or a personal belonging): He won't be able to play football until the leg mends.
(used before adjectives that are used substantively, to note an individual, a class or number of individuals, or an abstract idea): to visit the sick; from the sublime to the ridiculous.
(used before a modifying adjective to specify or limit its modifying effect): He took the wrong road and drove miles out of his way.
(used to indicate one particular decade of a lifetime or of a century): the sixties; the Gay Nineties.
(one of many of a class or type, as of a manufactured item, as opposed to an individual one): Did you listen to the radio last night?
enough: He saved until he had the money for a new car. She didn't have the courage to leave.
(used distributively, to note any one separately) for, to, or in each; a or an: at one dollar the pound.
Origin of the
1pronunciation note For the
Other definitions for the (2 of 3)
(used to modify an adjective or adverb in the comparative degree and to signify “in or by that,” “on that account,” “in or by so much,” or “in some or any degree”): He's been on vacation and looks the better for it.
(used in correlative constructions to modify an adjective or adverb in the comparative degree, in one instance with relative force and in the other with demonstrative force, and signifying “by how much … by so much” or “in what degree … in that degree”): the more the merrier; The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Origin of the
2Other definitions for the- (3 of 3)
variant of theo- before a vowel: thearchy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use the in a sentence
France 24 is providing live, round-the-clock coverage of both scenes as they progress.
Sands was involved in a scandalous-for-the-time romance with the carpenter and there were rumors she was pregnant with his child.
New York’s Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion | Nina Strochlic | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThree on-the-record stories from a family: a mother and her daughters who came from Phoenix.
I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 | Vicky Ward | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTthe Dallas Cowboys sell out their state-of-the art football stadium.
the Daily Beast spoke to a jubilant League on Tuesday about the behind-the-scenes battle to get the Interview to movie theaters.
The Inside Story of How Sony’s ‘The Interview’ Finally Made It to Theaters | Marlow Stern | December 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Sleek finds it far harder work than fortune-making; but he pursues his Will-o'-the-Wisp with untiring energy.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsYou never know when you are going to stumble upon a jewel in the most out-of-the-way corner.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy FayMr. Slocum was not educated in a university, and his life has been in by-paths, and out-of-the-way places.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | VariousI drew back from the rim of Writing-On-the-Stone, that set of whispered phrases echoing in my ears.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairBesides the districts mentioned, tobacco is grown largely in that of Frankfort-on-the Oder.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.
British Dictionary definitions for the (1 of 3)
/ (stressed or emphatic ðiː, unstressed before a consonant ðə, unstressed before a vowel ðɪ) /
used preceding a noun that has been previously specified: the pain should disappear soon; the man then opened the door Compare a 1
used with a qualifying word or phrase to indicate a particular person, object, etc, as distinct from others: ask the man standing outside; give me the blue one Compare a 1
used preceding certain nouns associated with one's culture, society, or community: to go to the doctor; listen to the news; watch the television
used preceding present participles and adjectives when they function as nouns: the singing is awful; the dead salute you
used preceding titles and certain uniquely specific or proper nouns, such as place names: the United States; the Honourable Edward Brown; the Chairman; the moon
used preceding a qualifying adjective or noun in certain names or titles: William the Conqueror; Edward the First
used preceding a noun to make it refer to its class generically: the white seal is hunted for its fur; this is good for the throat; to play the piano
used instead of my, your, her, etc, with parts of the body: take me by the hand
(usually stressed) the best, only, or most remarkable: Harry's is the club in this town
used with proper nouns when qualified: written by the young Hardy
another word for per, esp with nouns or noun phrases of cost: fifty pence the pound
often facetious, or derogatory my; our: the wife goes out on Thursdays
used preceding a unit of time in phrases or titles indicating an outstanding person, event, etc: match of the day; player of the year
Origin of the
1British Dictionary definitions for the (2 of 3)
/ (ðə, ðɪ) /
(often foll by for) used before comparative adjectives or adverbs for emphasis: she looks the happier for her trip
used correlatively before each of two comparative adjectives or adverbs to indicate equality: the sooner you come, the better; the more I see you, the more I love you
Origin of the
2British Dictionary definitions for the- (3 of 3)
a variant of theo-
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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