that: Meaning and Definition of

that

Pronunciation: (at unstressed &schwat), [key]
— pron. and adj., pl. adv., conj. those
—pron.
  1. (used to indicate a person, thing, idea, state, event, time, remark, etc., as pointed out or present, mentioned before, supposed to be understood, or by way of emphasis): That is her mother. After that we saw each other.
  2. (used to indicate one of two or more persons, things, etc., already mentioned, referring to the one more remote in place, time, or thought; opposed to this): This is my sister and that's my cousin.
  3. (used to indicate one of two or more persons, things, etc., already mentioned, implying a contrast or contradistinction; opposed to this): This suit fits better than that.
  4. (used as the subject or object of a relative clause, esp. one defining or restricting the antecedent, sometimes replaceable by who, whom, or which): the horse that he bought.
  5. (used as the object of a preposition, with the preposition standing at the end of a relative clause): the farm that I spoke of.
  6. (used in various special or elliptical constructions): fool that he is.
  7. Although perhaps too elaborate, it seemed like a good plan at that.
    1. in spite of something; nevertheless:Although perhaps too elaborate, it seemed like a good plan at that.
    2. in addition; besides:It was a long wait, and an exasperating one at that.
  8. (by way of explanation, clarification, or an example); more accurately: I read the book, that is, I read most of it.
  9. there is no more to be said or done; that is finished: I'm not going, and that's that!
  10. following that; thereupon: With that, he turned on his heel and fled.
—adj.
  1. (used to indicate a person, place, thing, or degree as indicated, mentioned before, present, or as well-known or characteristic): That woman is her mother. Those little mannerisms of hers make me sick.
  2. (used to indicate the more remote in time, place, or thought of two persons, things, etc., already mentioned; opposed to this): This room is his and that one is mine.
  3. (used to imply mere contradistinction; opposed to this): not this house, but that one.
  4. in love or very fond of (usually fol. by about or for): The star and the director are that way. I'm that way about coffee.
—adv.
  1. (used with adjectives and adverbs of quantity or extent) to the extent or degree indicated: that much; The fish was that big.
  2. to a great extent or degree; very: It's not that important.
  3. (used to modify an adjective or another adverb) to such an extent: He was that weak he could hardly stand.
—conj.
  1. (used to introduce a subordinate clause as the subject or object of the principal verb or as the necessary complement to a statement made, or a clause expressing cause or reason, purpose or aim, result or consequence, etc.): I'm sure that you'll like it. That he will come is certain. Hold it up so that everyone can see it.
  2. (used elliptically to introduce an exclamation expressing desire, a wish, surprise, indignation, or other strong feeling): Oh, that I had never been born!
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.