this / [voicedth]is/ • pron. (pl. these / [voicedth]ēz/ ) 1. used to identify a specific person or thing close at hand or being indicated or experienced: is this your bag? he soon knew that this was not the place for him. ∎  used to introduce someone or something: this is the captain speaking listen to this. ∎  referring to the nearer of two things close to the speaker (the other, if specified, being identified by “that”): this is different from that.2. referring to a specific thing or situation just mentioned: the company was transformed, and Ward had played a vital role in bringing this about.• adj. (pl. these) 1. used to identify a specific person or thing close at hand or being indicated or experienced: don't listen to this guy these croissants are delicious. ∎  referring to the nearer of two things close to the speaker (the other, if specified, being identified by “that”): this one or that one?2. referring to a specific thing or situation just mentioned: there was a court case resulting from this incident.3. used with periods of time related to the present: I thought you were busy all this week how are you this morning? ∎  referring to a period of time that has just passed: I haven't left my bed these three days.4. inf. used (chiefly in narrative) to refer to a person or thing previously unspecified: I turned around, and there was this big mummy standing next to us! I've got this problem and I need help.• adv. to the degree or extent indicated: they can't handle a job this big he's not used to this much attention.PHRASES: this and that (or this, that, and the other) inf. various unspecified things: they stayed up chatting about this and that.this here inf. used to draw attention emphatically to someone or something: I've slept in this here bed for forty years.