from
from
Pronunciation
/frʌm/
Word Form Variations
The word "from" is a preposition and as such, does not have word form variations like singular, plural, verb tenses, or comparative/superlative forms. It is an invariable word.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Preposition
Definition 1: Indicating the starting point, source, or origin of something in terms of space or time.
Synonyms: commencing at, originating in, beginning with
Antonyms: to, toward, ending at
Definition 2: Denoting the separation or removal of one thing from another.
Synonyms: away from, out of, off
Antonyms: with, alongside, joined to
Definition 3: Indicating the cause, reason, or motive of something.
Synonyms: because of, owing to, by reason of
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a causal relationship rather than an opposing one.)
Definition 4: Showing the material or substance used to make something.
Synonyms: out of, made of, composed of
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes composition.)
Definition 5: Expressing distinction or difference.
Synonyms: compared to, in contrast to, unlike
Antonyms: like, similar to, identical to
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities) - Here, "from" is implied in the progression of seasons and states.
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina) - The phrase implies a distinction "from" others.
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." (Laozi, Tao Te Ching) - Implies starting "from" a single point.
Newspapers:
"The government announced new measures to protect residents from rising inflation." (The Daily Nation, June 28, 2025) - Here, "from" indicates separation or protection.
"Reports from the conflict zone indicate a fragile ceasefire is holding." (The New York Times, June 29, 2025) - Here, "from" indicates the source of the reports.
Online Publications:
"How to work from home effectively: Tips and tricks for productivity." (Forbes.com, May 15, 2025) - Here, "from" indicates the location or origin of the work.
"Scientists discover new species of deep-sea fish from the Pacific Ocean." (NationalGeographic.com, June 20, 2025) - Here, "from" indicates the source or origin of the discovery.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "A message from the Queen." (The Crown, Netflix Series) - Here, "from" indicates the sender/source.
Music: "Hello from the other side." (Adele, "Hello" lyrics) - Here, "from" indicates the starting point or origin of the greeting.
Television (News Report): "Live updates from the scene of the accident." (CNN broadcast, June 29, 2025) - Here, "from" indicates the location of the broadcast.
Video Game: "You received a new quest from the Elder." (The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, in-game dialogue) - Here, "from" indicates the giver/source of the quest.
Social Media: "Just landed in Paris! Greetings from France!" (Instagram post by a user, June 27, 2025) - Here, "from" indicates the current location.
General Public Discourse:
"Could I get a coffee from the cafe downstairs?" (Everyday conversation) - Here, "from" indicates the source/location of purchase.
"I just got back from my vacation." (Everyday conversation) - Here, "from" indicates the starting point of the return journey.
"We need to learn from our mistakes." (Common proverb/advice) - Here, "from" indicates the source of the learning.
"That's a good point from John." (Meeting discussion) - Here, "from" indicates the source of the point.
10 Famous Quotes Using From
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." (Franklin D. Roosevelt, Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933) - Implies fear stemming "from" fear itself.
"Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country." (John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961) - Here, "from" is implied in the expected benefit.
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." (Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken") - Implies a choice "from" two options.
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." (Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching) - Explicitly states the starting point "from" a single step.
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina) - Implies distinction "from" others.
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities) - Implies a shift "from" one state to another.
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." (Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream" speech, August 28, 1963) - Implies freedom "from" racial prejudice.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." (Wayne Gretzky, often attributed) - Implies a lack of success stemming "from" not taking action.
"The truth will set you free." (John 8:32, The Bible) - Implies liberation "from" falsehood or bondage.
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on." (Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Address, 2005) - Implies deriving satisfaction "from" one's work.
Etymology
The word "from" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots back thousands of years!
Imagine our ancient ancestors speaking a very early language, a "proto-language" that was the grand-grandparent of many languages spoken today. "From" comes from a very old word in Proto-Germanic, which was a language spoken in Northern Europe around 500 BC to 200 AD. The Proto-Germanic word was "fram" or "framaz", and it carried the meaning of "forward," "away from," or "out of."
This Proto-Germanic word then developed into Old English, the language spoken in England before the Norman Conquest (pre-1150). In Old English, it appeared as "fram" or "from." Its earliest known use in Old English already carried the meaning of showing a starting point, or movement away in time or space. For example, an Old English text from around 874 AD, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, uses "Her for se here from Lindesse to Hreopedune," which means "Here the army went from Lindsey to Repton." This clearly shows its original meaning of indicating a starting point for movement.
Over time, as English evolved into Middle English and then Modern English, the spelling settled on "from," but its core meaning of indicating origin, separation, or a starting point has remained remarkably consistent. So, when you say "I came from the market," you're using a word that has been indicating a point of origin for at least a thousand years!
Phrases + Idioms Containing From
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "from":
From scratch: To start something from the very beginning, without any prior preparation or existing components.
From time to time: Occasionally; now and then.
From pillar to post: To be sent or move from one place to another repeatedly, often in an unhelpful or frustrating way.
From the ground up: Starting a project or business from its foundational stage.
From the word go: From the very beginning; right away.
From top to bottom: Thoroughly; completely.
From hand to mouth: Living with just enough money or food to survive, with nothing left over.
From the horse's mouth: Directly from the original or most reliable source.
From afar: From a distance.
From cover to cover: Reading an entire book or document completely.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of from from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
