if not
conj1
Indicates that a statement is true in the event that a condition is not satisfied.
Plain literal sense
- The plant will die if not watered.
2
Indicates that one statement at least is true, and possibly a second, stronger statement is true; perhaps even.
- He did as well as expected, if not better.
- People who talk about an imminent possibility of war seldom pose this question: What would North Korea’s leadership get from unleashing a war that they are likely to lose in weeks, if not days?2013 April 9, Andrei Lankov, “Stay Cool. Call North Korea’s Bluff.”, in New York Times:
3
Indicates that one statement is true, but a second is not; but not.
- I saw that he had improved his manners if not his scruffy appearance.
- Related terms
- if not for, nothing if not