What does is mean?
The form “is” is the third-person singular present of “be,” one of English’s most frequent and structurally central words. In its main use, it links a subject to a description, identity, state, or complement: “the river is clear,” “she is a doctor,” and “today is Tuesday.” It also functions as an auxiliary in questions, negatives, and constructions expressing obligation or possibility, especially when paired with a second form of “be,” as in “is she coming?” and “the work is being reviewed.” Although the word is tiny, much of the grammar of ordinary English depends on it: finite clauses need an appropriate finite verb, often a form of “be” or another auxiliary, and copular sentences use it to assign identity or meaning rather than describe an action. Its meaning is relational rather than independently lexical, so suitable substitutes depend heavily on context; “exists” may replace it in one sentence but not another. “Is” is also easily confused in print with “it’s,” the contraction of “it is” or “it has.”
verbIs is the third-person singular present indicative of be, used to identify, describe, assert, or link a subject with a complement. In questions, negatives, and passive constructions, it also functions as an auxiliary, as in “she is working” and “is she working?”
- Existence or occurrence: to be present, happen, or exist.
- Identity or classification: to have a particular identity, category, name, or role.
- Description or state: to possess a particular quality or condition.
- Auxiliary use: to form questions, negatives, passive constructions, and other compound verb forms.
"The oldest tree in the garden is more than two centuries old."
"The meeting is scheduled for Friday morning."
"Is the package still available?"
The word “is” carries an ancient linguistic line back through Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does is come from?
“Is” descends from Old English “is,” inherited through Proto-Germanic from an ancient Indo-European form meaning “he, she, or it is.” Its relatives include Latin “est,” Greek “esti,” and Sanskrit “asti,” all associated with the same Indo-European root. English later incorporated it into the grammatical paradigm of “be,” alongside forms that had partly distinct ancient origins.
Related word forms
How is is actually used
The word is neutral in register and standard in both British and American English. It is commonly unstressed in continuous and auxiliary uses, while the clear /ɪz/ pronunciation is more likely when it receives emphasis or stands alone.
Easily confused with is
“Is” is the verb form of be, whereas “it's” is the contraction of “it is” or “it has.”