THAT | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Old English thæt, nominative and accusative singular neuter of se ‘the’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch dat and German das

used to identify a specific person or thing observed or heard by the speaker

used to identify specific person or thing observed or heard by speaker

• that's his wife over there
• hello, is that Ben?

referring to a specific thing previously mentioned, known, or understood

referring to specific thing previously mentioned or understood

• that's a good idea
• what are we going to do about that?

used in singling out someone or something and ascribing a distinctive feature to them

used in singling out person or thing and ascribing distinctive feature

• it is part of human nature to be attracted to that which is aesthetically pleasing
• his appearance was that of someone used to sleeping on the streets

expressing strong agreement with a description just given

expressing strong agreement with description just given

• ‘He's a fussy man.’ ‘He is that.’

used instead of ‘which’, ‘who’, ‘whom’, or ‘when’ to introduce a defining clause, especially one essential to identification

used instead of 'which', 'who', 'whom'

• the woman that owns the place
• the book that I've just written
• the year that Anna was born

used to identify a specific person or thing observed or heard by the speaker

used to identify specific person or thing observed or heard by speaker

• look at that chap there
• how much are those brushes?

referring to a specific thing previously mentioned, known, or understood

referring to specific thing previously mentioned or understood

• he lived in Mysore at that time
• seven people died in that incident

used in singling out someone or something and ascribing a distinctive feature to them

used in singling out person or thing and ascribing distinctive feature

• I have always envied those people who make their own bread

referring to a specific person or thing assumed as understood or familiar to the person being addressed

referring to specific person or thing assumed as understood or familiar to person being addressed

• where is that son of yours?
• I let him spend all that money on me
• Dad got that hunted look

to such a degree; so

to such degree

• I wouldn't go that far

introducing a subordinate clause expressing a statement or hypothesis

introducing subordinate clause expressing statement or hypothesis

• she said that she was satisfied
• it is possible that we have misunderstood

expressing a wish or regret

expressing wish or regret

• oh that he could be restored to health