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with (wĭth, wĭth)
Share:
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.
Informal
As company; along: We're going to the movies. Are you coming with?
Idioms:
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.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.