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This is used to reference a person or a thing.

(pronoun)

An example of this is someone talking about and pointing at a plant which they are holding.

This means so.

(adverb)

An example of this used as an adverb is the phrase "this big" being spoken as someone holds their hands a foot apart implying how big of a box they need.

See this in Webster's New World College Dictionary

pronoun pl. these

the person or thing mentioned or understood: this is John; this tastes good
the thing that is nearer than another referred to as “that”: this is larger than that
the less remote in thought of two contrasted things: of the two possibilities, this is more likely than that
the fact, idea, etc. that is being, or is about to be, mentioned, presented, etc.: this convinces us; now hear this

Origin: ME this, thes < OE thes, masc., this, neut. < base of the demonstrative pron.: see that

adjective pl. these

designating the person or thing mentioned or understood: this man was John; this pie tastes good
designating the thing that is nearer than the one referred to as “that”: this desk is smaller than that one
designating the less remote in thought of two contrasted things: of the two, this possibility is more likely than that
designating something that is being, or is about to be, mentioned, presented, etc.: hear this song; this fact will convince you
Informal designating a particular but unspecified person or thing: there's this lady in Iowa

adverb

to this extent; so: it was this big

See this in American Heritage Dictionary 4

pron. pl. these these (Þēz)

a. Used to refer to the person or thing present, nearby, or just mentioned: This is my cat. These are my tools.
b. Used to refer to what is about to be said: Now don't laugh when you hear this.
c. Used to refer to the present event, action, or time: said he'd be back before this.
Used to indicate the nearer or the more immediate one: This is mine and that is yours.

adjective pl. these these

Being just mentioned or present in space, time, or thought: She left early this morning.
Being nearer or more immediate: this side and that side.
Being about to be stated or described: Just wait till you hear this story.
Informal Used as an emphatic substitute for the indefinite article: looking for this book of recipes.

adverb

To this extent; so: never stayed out this late.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English; see to- in Indo-European roots

Usage Note: This and that are both used as demonstrative pronouns to refer to a thought expressed earlier: The letter was unopened; that (or this) in itself casts doubt on the inspector's theory. That is sometimes viewed as the better choice in referring to what has gone before (as in the preceding example). When the referent is yet to be mentioned, only this is used: This (not that) is what bothers me: we have no time to consider late applications. • This is often used in speech and informal writing as an emphatic substitute for the indefinite article to refer to a specific thing or person: You should talk to this friend of mine at the Department of Motor Vehicles. I have this terrible feeling that I forgot to turn off the gas. It is best to avoid this substitution in formal writing except when a conversational tone is desired. See Usage Note at that.

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