If Definition

ĭf
conjuntion
In the event that.
If I were to go, I would be late.
American Heritage
Allowing that; granting that.
If she was there, I didn't see her.
Webster's New World
On condition that; in case; supposing.
If I come, I'll see him; if I were you, I wouldn't do that.
Webster's New World
Even though or though perhaps.
An engaging, if clumsy, story line.
Webster's New World
Though maybe not even.
An athlete with few, if any, peers.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
noun
A supposition or speculation.
Webster's New World
A condition or qualification.
A clause filled with ifs.
Webster's New World
abbreviation
Infield.
Webster's New World
Intermediate frequency.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of If

Noun

Singular:
if
Plural:
ifs

Origin of If

  • From Middle English yif, yef, from Old English ġif, ġef (“if; whether, though”), from Proto-Germanic *jabai (“when, if”), from Proto-Indo-European *e-, *ē- (“then, at that time”). Cognate with Scots gif (“if, whether”), West Frisian oft (“whether”), Dutch of (“or, whether, but”), Middle Low German ef (“if, whether”), German ob (“if, whether”), Icelandic ef, if (“if”).

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English from Old English gif i- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition