prep. 1. In the company of; accompanying: Did you go with her? 2. Next to; alongside of: stood with the rabbi; sat with the family. 3. a. Having as a possession, attribute, or characteristic: arrived with bad news; a man with a moustache. b. Used as a function word to indicate accompanying detail or condition: just sat there with his mouth open; a patient with a bad back. 4. a. In a manner characterized by: performed with skill; spoke with enthusiasm. b. In the performance, use, or operation of: had trouble with the car. 5. In the charge or keeping of: left the cat with the neighbors. 6. In the opinion or estimation of: if it's all right with you. 7. a. In support of; on the side of: I'm with anyone who wants to help the homeless. b. Of the same opinion or belief as: He is with us on that issue. 8. In the same group or mixture as; among: planted onions with the carrots. 9. In the membership or employment of: plays with a jazz band; is with a publishing company. 10. a. By the means or agency of: eat with a fork; made us laugh with his jokes. b. By the presence or use of: a pillow stuffed with feathers; balloons filled with helium. 11. In spite of: With all her experience, she could not get a job. 12. In the same direction as: sail with the wind; flow with the river. 13. At the same time as: gets up with the birds. 14. a. In regard to: We are pleased with her decision. They are disgusted with the status quo. b. Used as a function word to indicate a party to an action, communicative activity, or informal agreement or settlement: played with the dog; had a talk with the class; lives with an aunt. 15. In comparison or contrast to: a car identical with the one her sister just bought. 16. Having received: With her permission, he left. I escaped with just a few bruises. 17. a. And; plus: My books, with my brother's, make a sizable library. We had turkey with all the trimmings. b. Inclusive of; including: comes to $29.95 with postage and handling. 18. In opposition to; against: wrestling with an opponent. 19. As a result or consequence of: trembling with fear; sick with the flu. 20. So as to be touching or joined to: coupled the first car with the second; linked arms with their partners. 21. So as to be free of or separated from: parted with her husband. 22. In the course of: We grow older with the hours. 23. In proportion to: wines that improve with age. 24. a. In relationship to: at ease with my peers. b. Being the partner of in a romantic relationship: In April, I will have been with my husband 24 years. 25. As well as; in favorable comparison to: She could sing with the best of them. 26. According to the experience or practice of: With me, it is a question of priorities. 27. Used as a function word to indicate close association: With the advent of the rockets, the Space Age began. adv. Idioms: Informal As company; along: We're going to the movies. Are you coming with? in withInformal In league or association with: He is in with the wrong crowd. with itInformal 1. Interested in and sensitive to the latest styles and trends; up-to-date. 2. Streetwise and knowing; savvy. 3. Mentally competent. [Middle English, with, against, from, from Old English; see wi- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] Usage Note: When the subject of a sentence is followed by a noun or noun phrase introduced by with rather than and, the verb remains singular: The governor, with his aides, is expected to attend the fair. See Usage Note at and. |
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