Crossword answer · 3 letters
It's definition and meaning
its · possessive determiner; normalized contraction
ITS
What does It's mean?
Its is the possessive form associated with it. It's, with an apostrophe, is a contraction of it is or it has.
What does ITS mean in a crossword?
ITS answers the reviewed clue ““___ not that deep!”.” Conversational punctuation points to a contraction whose apostrophe is omitted in the grid.
Why is ITS useful to learn?
“The bird moved its nest” shows possession; “it's ready” means it is ready. A crossword can remove the apostrophe and make both forms appear as ITS.
Common clue patterns
- Belonging to it
- It is, with punctuation omitted
- It has, in a contraction
These are editorially written pattern summaries, not a reproduced puzzle archive.
Other meanings to watch
An apostrophe is not used for the possessive its. In ordinary prose the distinction is essential; in a grid, grammar must restore the punctuation mentally.