Word History

Etymology

translation of German Ding an sich

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thing-in-itself was in 1739

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thing-in-itself.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thing-in-itself. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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